

COPYRIGHT DEPOSIT 




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Crofton Chums 


By 

Ralph Henry ^arbour 

Author of “The Crimson Sweater,” “Captain Chub,” 
“Team-Mates,” etc. 


With Illustrations 

By C. M. Relyea 



New York 
The Century Co. 
1912 



Copyright, 1911, 1912, by 
The Century Co. 

Ptdflished^ September^ jgjz 


/.-JV 

t Cl.A3:dOC.59 


To 

G. R. O. 
Who Helped 


CONTENTS 


CHAPTER PAGE 

L Back to School 3 

II. SuNNYwooD Cottage 16 

m. Gary Reconsiders 36 

IV. Mr. Gordon Receives 52 

V. Mr. Hanks Rents a Room 69 

VI. Plato Society 89 

YII. Jim Makes a Promise 103 

VIIL Poke Uses Tact 114 

IX. Out For the Team 129 

X. Mr. Hanks Accepts Advice .... 148 

XI. On the Second 162 

XII. Gary is Surprised 172 

XIII. Poke on Canoes ........ 183 

XIV. Up the River ......... 193 

XV. The ^^Mi-ka-noo” . 205 

XVI. Mr. Hanks as a Novelist 216 

XVII. The Game With St. Luke^s .... 227 

XVIII. Gary Challenges 235 

XIX. Poke Advertises ........ 245 


CONTENTS 


viii 

CHAPTER PAQH 

XX. An Early Morning Practice .... 256 

XXI. The Great Race 267 

XXII. The Sword Falls! 284 

XXIII. Friday and Ill-luck 302 

XXIV. Hawthorne Comes to Conquer . . . 316 

XXV. Jim Passes an Examination .... 332 


LIST OP ILLUSTEATIONS 


PAaB 

Jim was off with a clear field ahead . . . Frontispiece ^ 

“ Well, what do you think of that ! ” ejaculated Poke . 11 V' 

^^This is Mrs. Hazard^ isn’t if?” 27'^ 

^^What is it, Jim*? Is anything wrong?” inquired 

Mrs. Hazard Z7 ^ 

“ This certainly beats dining-hall,” declared Poke . . 61 

“You a football man. Hazard?” Sargent asked . ,75^ 

“I am looking for accommodations, a room and — er 

— yes, board with it” 83'^ 

“ Look here,” he demanded, “ what did you tell Duncan 

Sargent about me?” 125 ^ 

“ Ever see a football before? ” he asked 141'^ 

They found Mr. Hanks at his desk 153 

Gil and Poke assisted in the household duties . . . 181 

Hope, being a rather wise young lady, prepared a tray 295 

“We thought you might send him a telegram,” said 

Gary, boldly 309' 

Jim takes his examination on the football field . , . 329 



CEOFTON CHUMS 


CROFTON CHUMS 


CHAPTEE I 

BACK TO SCHOOL 

‘‘ XN the good old football time, 
i In the good old football time! ’’ 

sang ‘‘ Poke ’’ Endicott, as he pulled a nice new 
pair of fawn-hued football pants from his trunk 
and reverently strove to smooth the creases 
from them. ‘‘ Aren^t those some pants, Gil? ” 
he demanded. 

His room-mate turned from the window as the 
‘‘ mole-skins ’’ were held up for inspection. 

‘‘ Bather I You must have spent a yearns al- 
lowance on those, Poke.’’ 

‘‘ Huh! ” Poke folded them carefully and 
then tossed them in the general direction of the 
closet. “I’d hate to tell you, Gil, what they 
stood me. But they’re good for ten years ; any- 
how, that’s what the tailor man said. Those 
3 


4 


CROFTON CHUMS 


trousers, Gil, will descend from generation to 
generation, down through the ages, like — 
like — ’’ 

“ A mortgage,’’ suggested Gil Benton, help- 
fully, as he turned again to the view of autumn 
landscape framed by the open casement. Just 
under the window, beyond the graveled path, the 
smooth turf descended gently to the rim of the 
little river which curved placidly along below 
the school buildings barely a stone’s throw 
away. (Joe Cosgrove, baseball captain, had 
once engaged, on a wager, to place a baseball 
across it from the steps of Academy Hall, and 
had succeeded at the third attempt. As Acad- 
emy stands farthest from the stream of any of 
the buildings, Joe’s throw was something of a 
feat, and many a perfectly good baseball had 
been sacrificed since by ambitious youths set on 
duplicating his performance.) The Academy 
side of the river was clear of vegetation, but 
along the farther bank graceful weeping wil- 
lows dipped their trailing branches in the water 
and threw cool green shadows across the sur- 
face. Beyond, the willows gave place to alders 
and swamp-oaks and basswood, and then, as the 
ground rose to the rolling hills, maples, already 
showing the first light frosts, clustered thick. 


BACK TO SCHOOL 


5 


Here and there the white trunks of paper- 
birches showed against the hillside. 

Gil — his full name was Gilbert, hut no one 
ever called him that — viewed the familiar scene 
with eager pleasure and satisfaction. To-mor- 
row began his third year at Crofton Academy, 
and he had grown very fond of the school ; how 
fond he had scarcely realized until this minute. 
To the left, a quarter of a mile away, the old 
covered bridge was in sight, its central pier 
emerging from a wilderness of bush on Bridge 
Island. To his right, a little distance down- 
stream, lay Biscuit Island, a tiny round mound 
of moss-covered rock with here and there a 
patch of grass, and, in the middle, a group of 
four white birches asway in the westerly breeze. 
Opposite the island was the brown-stained boat- 
house and the long float, the latter as yet empty 
of the canoes and skiffs and tubs that would 
later gather there. By bending forward a little, 
Gil could catch a glimpse of a comer of the 
athletic field and the roofed portico of Apthorpe 
Gymnasium, the last of the buildings that 
formed a crescent along the curve of the river. 

He smiled companionably at the blue and 
green world, sighed once — why, he couldn’t 
have told you — and breathed in a lungful of 


6 


CROFTON CHUMS 


the warm, scented air. It was good to be back 
again ; awfully good ! He wondered — 
Footsteps crunched the gravel beneath^ the 
window, and Gil leaned out. Then he turned 
and called to his chum : 

“ Say, Poke, come and see ‘ Brownie.’ He’s 
got a suit of ‘ ice-cream ’ clothes on, and a 
Panama hat ! Me, oh, my ! Who ’d ever think 
Brownie could be so frivolous? ” 

Poke stumbled over a pile of clothing and hur- 
ried across to the casement, leaning out beside 
Gil. Almost directly below was a tall man of 
thirty-odd years, attired modishly in light home- 
spun. WFen, in answer to Poke ’s ‘ ‘ Hello, Mr. 
Brown! ” he looked up at the window, his face 
was seen to carry a rich coating of tan from 
which his very light blue eyes twinkled with 
startling effect. He waved his hand to them. 

‘‘Hello, Endicott! Hello, Benton! You’re 
back early, it seems.” 

“ Couldn’t stay away, sir,” replied Poke 
laughingly. ‘ ‘ Missed Greek awfully, sir ! ” 
“Not the first time you’ve missed it — 
awfully,” retorted the instructor with a broad 
smile. The boys chuckled. “ Don’t forget the 
meeting to-morrow evening, fellows.” 

“ No, sir; we’ll be there,” said Gil. 


BACK TO SCHOOL 


7 


He’s a dandy chap,” lie added heartily, as 
the instructor passed on toward his room in the 
next dormitory. Poke nodded. 

“ One of the best. That’s why Plato’s the 
best society in school. What time is it? ” 

“ Nearly one,” replied Gil, with a yawn. 

Don’t suppose we can get anything to eat 
here, eh? ” 

‘ ‘ Not likely. We might try, but as we ’re not 
supposed to come until after dinner, I guess it 
would look pretty cheeky.” 

‘‘ Eight 0 ! Besides, it will be more fun eat- 
ing in the village. Aren’t you going to un- 
pack? ” 

“ Yes, but there’s no hurry. Let’s get din- 
ner now. Poke. We’ll go to Eeddy’s; he has 
the best eats.” 

‘ ‘ Got you ! But wait until I get some of this 
mess picked up. How’s that for a swell suit of 
glad rags, Gil? ” Poke held up the jacket for 
inspection. It was perceptibly green in color 
and decidedly loud ” in style. Gil grunted. 

‘‘ If you had a gray silk hat you could march 
in the minstrel parade with that, Poke. Bet 
you sent your measurements by mail with a ten- 
dollar bill.” 

Poke looked highly offended, and draped the 


8 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


garment over the back of a chair. Then he 
drew away and admired it silently. 

‘‘ That/’ he announced finally, ‘‘ was made by 
one of the best tailors in New York.” 

Gil grunted again. ‘‘We wouldn’t wear a 
thing like that in Providence, ’ ’ he said. 

Poke laughed rudely as he hung the coat up. 
‘ ‘ Providence ! I believe you, Gil ! Providence 
never saw anything like that. ’ ’ 

“ That’s no joke,” replied the other. “ Get 
a move on. Poke, I’m hungry.” 

“ All right. Put that in the drawer for me, 
will you? No, the table drawer, you idiot! 
Where’s my hat? Come on now. I could eat 
an ox I ” 

They closed the door of Number 12 behind 
them, scuttled down a flight of well-worn stairs, 
and emerged on the granite steps of Weston 
Hall. They looked along the fronts of the 
buildings, hut not a soul was in sight. Gil 
chuckled. 

“ Bet you we’re the first fellows back. 
Poke.” 

“ Sure. They won’t begin to get here until 
that two-twenty train.” 

They turned to the right, passed between 
Weston and Eogers, traversed a few rods of 


BACK TO SCHOOL 


9 


turf, and took a path leading downwards 
through a grove of maples and beeches. The 
path turned and twisted to accommodate it- 
self to the descent. Gil walked ahead, hat in 
hand, since it was close and warm here in the 
woods, and Poke lounged along behind, hands 
in pockets and his merry, good-humored face 
alight with anticipation of the good things 
awaiting him at Reddy ’s lunch counter. Poke ^s 
real name was Perry Oldham Kirkland En- 
dicott, and the nickname had been the nat- 
ural result of the first view of the initials 
on the end of his suitcase. In age he was six- 
teen, one year his companion’s junior. He was 
well set-up, with a good pair of shoulders and 
a depth of chest that told of athletic training. 
He had brown hair and brown eyes, a good- 
looking sunburned face, and a general air of 
care-free jollity. Like Gil Benton, Poke was a 
member of the Upper Middle Class, and conse- 
quently had two more years to spend at Crof- 
ton. 

Gilbert Benton, seventeen years old, was a 
good two inches taller than his chum, and some- 
what slimmer. But the slimness showed wiry 
muscles and a healthy body. Gil’s hair was 
darker than Poke’s, and his eyes were gray. 


10 


CROFTON CHUMS 


His face spoke of determination and fearless- 
ness. Seeing the two boys, yon would have 
said that Gil was the sort to lead bravely a for- 
lorn hope, and Poke the sort to shrug his shoul- 
ders, laugh — and follow. GiPs home was in 
Providence, Rhode Island, and Pokers in New 
York City. The latter had taken an early train 
and Gil had joined him at Providence, and the 
two had reached the station at Crofton well be- 
fore noon. To arrive at school early and get 
settled before their fellows arrived had struck 
them as something of a lark. 

The woods ceased and the path led them out 
onto Academy Road, where Hill Street turned 
off and where the village residences began. 
Hereabouts most of the trim white-walled struc- 
tures were used as boarding- and rooming- 
houses for the Crofton students who were un- 
able to secure accommodations in the school 
dormitories. At the comer was Mrs. Hooper ’s ; 
across the road from it, Jones’s; farther up 
Academy Road toward the school, Mrs. San- 
ger’s. To their left as they leaped the tumble- 
down stone wall was a comfortable-looking resi- 
dence whose outbuildings nestled in the edge of 
the woods. 





“ Well, what do you think of that ! ” ejaculated Poke 





BACK TO SCHOOL 13 

Wonder who has the Timberlake place this 
year,’’ said Gil. I see it’s rented.” 

^‘Why did she give it up?” asked Poke 
idly. 

Went out West to live with her son, I be- 
lieve. I don’t believe the old lady ever made 
much money here.” 

Well, what do you think of that! ” ejacu- 
lated Poke, stopping in his tracks and staring 
at the house in question. Perched on a short 
ladder was a hoy of about Poke’s age, nailing 
a sign over the front steps. A girl in a white 
dress and with a long braid of yellow hair aglint 
in the sunshine was steadying the ladder. As 
the boys stopped to look, the last screw went 
home and the sign stood forth for all to see : 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


The boy descended from the ladder, and he 
and the girl stepped a little distance down the 
short walk toward the gate to admire the result 
of their labors. Gil and Poke went on, the lat- 
ter chuckling. 

‘ Sunnywood Cottage,^ ” he murmured. 


14 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


‘‘ Guess there wasn’t anything very sunny about 
the place when Mrs. Timherlake had it. I won- 
der who the girl is ? ” 

Miss Sunnywood,” replied Gil instantly. 

Thanks,” said Poke, turning to steal an- 
other look at the young lady. You’re a veri- 
table mine of information, Gil. The house is 
looking rather nice, isn’t it? Must have 
painted it, I guess. ’ ’ 

Yes, and her hair is very pretty,” laughed 
Gil. 

Oh, you run away,” Poke retorted. 
Wonder who the chap is? ” 

‘‘You seem mighty interested in the family. 
Like to call there on the way hack? ” 

‘ ‘ That’s not a bad idea ! We might make be- 
lieve we wanted to rent a room.” 

“We might,” Gil laughed. He, too, turned 
for a glance at the cottage. “ Guess a fellow 
could be pretty comfy at Sunnywood. Funny, 
isn’t it, how some houses look homey and comfy 
and others sort of give you the creeps. Look 
at Jones’s; wouldn’t live there for a hundred 
dollars a month! ” 

“*I wonder if a fellow has more fun living in 
the village,” mused Poke. “ Of course it’s nice 
being in hall when you know there are loads of 


BACK TO SCHOOL 


15 


chaps envying yon your room, but, after all, we 
donT have much chance for larks, what with 
study hour, and being in at ten, and all that. I 
believe I^d like to try a house next year, Gil.’’ 

Sunnywood? ” asked Gil slyly. 

Poke grinned and nodded. I wouldn’t 
mind. That corner room in front on this side 
ought to be pretty nice. You’d get lots of sun 
and light — and that’s more than we get in 
Number 12.” 

‘‘ Well, never mind about sun and light now. 
Let’s hit it up. Poke. What I need is food and 
drink. Thank goodness we ’re nearly there ! 
It’s pretty hot for September, isn’t it? ” 

“ I don’t know how hot it is for September,” 
replied Poke with a grin as they turned into 
Main Street, ‘‘ but it’s uncomfortably hot for 
Poke! ” 


CHAPTER II 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 

‘‘XT’S a perfectly jimmy sign! ’’ declared the 
-L girl delightedly. 

The boy turned with an amnsed smile. 
What’s a ‘ jimmy ’ sign, Hope? One made 
by Jim? ” 

N-no, not exactly. Jimmy means awfully 
nice — something very — . very pleasing — quite 
darling! See? ” 

Of course,” answered her brother. It’s 
as plain as the nose on your face.” 

My nose isn’t plain,” was the retort. 
“ It’s a real Hazard nose, just like yours and 
Lady’s.” 

Sort of a jimmy nose,”’ laughed the boy. 
Sis, if you keep on coining words, you’ll have 
to publish a vocabulary or no one will be able 
to understand you. What was it you called the 
back room upstairs yesterday? ” 

Snudgy,” replied Hope Hazard gravely. 
‘‘ And that’s just what it is; small and hot and 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 17 

— and snudgy! It’s the snndgiest room I ever 
saw, Jim.” 

‘‘ Well, don’t let Jane hear you call it snudgy. 
She might leave. But, say, that’s a pretty 
good-looking sign, isn’t it? I don’t believe any 
one could tell it was home-made, eh? ” 

N-no, not unless they looked real close. I 
guess that Yi is a little bit wipsy, though, 
Jim.” 

Jim Hazard frowned intently for a moment 
at the letter in question. Well, maybe it is 
kind of out of plumb with the others,” he ac- 
knowledged. Just the same, I think I’m a 
pretty good sign painter, sis. Now what’s to 
do? ” 

Curtains in the front room upstairs; the 
rented one,” replied Hope promptly. 

Oh, hang the curtains! ” grumbled Jim. 

That’s what I meant,” laughed Hope. 

Never mind, they’re the last ones. And we 
really must get them up because our star 
boarder may come any moment.” 

All right,” he answered resignedly, but 
I’ve got to cool off first.” He seated himself 
on the top step and Hope perched herself be- 
side him. Jim fanned himself with the screw- 
driver, and they both laughed. Then the boy’s 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


I 

18 

smile died away, and his forehead puckered it- 
self into lines of worry. 

‘‘ Hope, weVe got to do better than this or 
Sunnywood will be vacant again. Four rooms 
to rent and only one taken ! Didn ’t you think 
from what Mr. Gordon said that we’d get all 
the fellows we wanted? ” 

‘‘Yes, but maybe they don’t look for rooms 
until they get here,” she answered cheerfully. 
“ And you know they don’t begin to come until 
this afternoon.” 

“ I don’t believe that,” he answered. “ Fel- 
lows wouldn’t come and not know where they 
were going to live. I don’t think Mr. Gordon 
has treated us fairly, Hope. That lady over 
there — ” 

“ Mrs. Sanger.” 

‘ ‘ Took the sign out of her window this morn- 
ing. I guess that means that her rooms are 
all taken. I’ll bet Mr. Gordon has been sending 
the fellows to the other houses and leaving us 
out of it.” 

“ Oh, he wouldn’t do that,” Hope protested, 
“ after all the nice things he said to mama.” 

“ You can’t tell. Besides, we don’t know just 
what nice things he did say. You know very 
well that if a person doesn’t actually call Lady 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


19 


names she thinks they Ve been as nice as pie to 
her. Wish I had her gift of thinking the very 
best of everything and everybody. Well, if 
something doesnT happen pretty soon, I’m 
going to see Mr. Gordon and tell him what I 
think about it. One thing we do know is 
that he wrote Lady that if she took the house 
she wouldn’t have any trouble in renting the 
rooms.” 

Well, let’s hope for the best, Jim,” said his 
sister, laying a small brown hand on his shoul- 
der and giving him a reassuring pinch. 

‘‘ That’s you all over,” he muttered. 
Guess they knew what they were about when 
they named you Hope.” 

‘‘ Well, they didn’t name you Despair,” she 
laughed, ‘‘ so don’t try and play* they did. It’s 
most time Lady was back, isn’t it? ” 

Jim nodded and looked down the street to- 
ward the village a half-mile away. That’s 
her now, I guess ; away down by the big elm ; 
see? ” 

Yes, it is. Let’s go and meet her, Jim. 
She’s probably got a lot of things to carry.” 

All right!” Jim laid down the screw- 
driver and pushed the ladder aside. ‘‘ You’d 
better put a hat on, though.” 


20 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


^ ‘ Nonsense ! The sun wonT hurt me. Come 
on.’’ 

They went out of the gate together, and 
walked briskly down the sidewalk. Jim was 
half a head taller than his sister, rather thin, 
a bit raw-boned, in fact, but strong looking, and 
good looking, too, in spite of a smudge of dirt 
across his forehead and a generally begrimed 
appearance due to the fact that he had been 
sign-painting, carpentering, and house-cleaning 
all the forenoon. Besides this, he wore the very 
oldest clothes he owned, and that he managed to 
look prepossessing in spite of these handicaps 
speaks rather well for him. He had brown hair 
and brown eyes, but the hair was light, ex- 
tremely light in places, as though it had been 
faded by sun and weather, and the eyes were 
very dark. Hope had told him once that he had 
perfectly lovely eyes, they looked so much like 
sweet chocolate ! For the rest, Jim was tanned 
and hardy-looking, with more often than not a 
little puckery frown on his forehead, for at six- 
teen years of age he had already been head of 
the family for three years. 

Hope Hazard isn’t quite so easily described, 
and I’d flunk the task if I might. She was four- 
teen, slender, golden-haired, gray-eyed, light- 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


21 


hearted. As Jim had said, she had been well 
named, for hopefulness was the key-note of her 
nature, and Jim, who was somewhat prone to 
borrow trouble if he had none of his own, called 
her frivolous in moments of exasperation. 
But Hope came honestly by her sunny optimism, 
for her mother had always been the most 
hopeful, cheerful soul in the world, and even 
Mr. Hazard’s death and the immediate collapse 
of the family fortunes had failed to change 
her. 

Mother and daughter looked much alike. 
Mrs. Hazard was quite tall, still young look- 
ing, and still pretty. She had gray eyes, like 
Hope’s, and if they were a trifle more faded, 
they still twinkled brightly at the slightest prov- 
ocation. Jim was more like his father, a little 
more serious, with something of New England 
granite showing in his face, a heritage from a 
race of coast-dwelling Hazards. The Hazard 
nose, which Hope fondly believed she had in- 
herited, and which was a straight and stem ap- 
pendage, well shaped but imcompromising, was 
his, while Mrs. Hazard’s nose was an undigni- 
fied, even flippant affair that looked for all the 
world as though, had it had proper encourage- 
ment at an early stage, it would have become 


22 


CROFTON OPIUMS 


tip-tilted. Truth compels the admission that in 
Hope’s case the Hazard nose was more a matter 
of anticipation than realization, in spite of the 
fact that she religiously pulled it and pinched it 
in the attempt to make it conform to Hazard 
requirements. Perhaps it is a mean thing to 
say, but Hope’s nose was more remarkable for 
the cluster of three big freckles on the end of it 
than for beauty of contour. 

Mrs. Hazard yielded her packages to the chil- 
dren and gave an account of her shopping expe- 
dition. It’s lots of fun buying things in Crof- 
ton, my dears ; quite exciting. You never know 
when you ask for a thing what you are going to 
get. I tried to buy some scrim to make curtains 
for Jane’s room, and what do you suppose I got? 
Why, some muslin for a next summer dress for 
Hope ! It was really very sweet and pretty. ’ ’ 

“ And I suppose,” said Jim, with a smile, 
that when Hope isn’t wearing it, Jane can 
hang it up at her window. ’ ’ 

‘‘ I think you’ll have to do the shopping, 
Jim,” continued Mrs. Hazard. They don’t 
take me seriously, I’m afraid. If I want a 
wash-board, they smile at me humoringly and 
sell me a nutmeg grater ! And two or thie^ 
things I meant to get, I forgot all about I ” 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 23 

Did you get the blankets, Lady? asked 
Jim anxiously. 

Oh, yes; and the toweling, and the mat for 
the front door. But I forgot bluing and soap 
and meat for supper.’’ 

‘‘ Well, if we don’t rent some rooms we won’t 
be able to afford supper,” replied Jim grimly. 

I don’t think Mr. Gordon has been treating 
us decently. Lady.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, I ’m sure he has done all he could, dear. 
I can’t doubt that after the nice way he talked.” 

Talk’s cheap,” growled Jim. ‘‘ Why 
doesn’t he send some boys here to rent our 
rooms? ” 

He will, I’m sure. You wait and see.” 

‘‘ That woman over there has taken her sign 
down already.” 

But she’s been here for years, Jim dear, 
while we are only starting. It’s going to take 
time, of course. Meanwhile we have that 
Latham boy — ” 

And he’s a cripple,” interrupted Jim, 

and I dare say no one else would take him! ” 

I don’t think that at all,” protested his 
mother as they entered the gate, for Mr. 
Gordon said that he was sending him to me be- 
cause he wanted a place where the poor boy 


24 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


could be well looked after. Oh, how nice your 
sign looks 1 I suppose it is perfectly all right 
to have a sign, Jim, but I see none of the other 
houses have any.’’ 

That’s the point,” replied Jim. ‘‘ This is 
going to be different. Fellows who come here 
are going to be at home; this isn’t going to be 
just a plain boarding-house, Lady. Isn’t it 
most dinner time ? I’m pretty hungry. ’ ’ 

You shall have it right away. I’ll tell 
Jane I’m back.” She hurried through to the 
kitchen, and Jim, with a sigh, picked up his 
step-ladder and, followed by Hope, trudged up- 
stairs to hang the curtains in the corner room. 

I wonder what sort of a cripple he is,” 
mused Hope, as she paired the strips of flounced 
muslin. ^ ‘ I do hope he will be nice. ’ ’ 

‘‘ I wish Mr. Gordon had sent his cripple 
somewhere else,” muttered her brother as he 
worked the brass pole through the heading. 
‘‘ Anybody can impose on Lady.” 

‘ ^ Jim, you’re perfectly awful to-day I You’re 
just one long wail of despair. I guess you want 
your dinner. Boys are always grumpy when 
they’re hungry. Here’s a hole in this curtain. 
I’ll draw it together after dinner.” 

It’s good enough for him,” growled Jim, 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


25 


who was working himself rapidly into a fit of 
ill-temper. ‘‘ I dare say we’ll have to Ing him 
up and down stairs, too.” 

Oh, I don’t believe he’s that kind of a crip- 
ple,” responded Hope. And he has a per- 
fectly jimmy name, hasn’t he? Jeffrey 
Latham ; it’s quite a ^ — a romantic sort of name, 
Jim.” 

‘‘ He’s probably a pasty-faced little milksop. 
There, that’s the last, thank goodness! My, 
it’s no wonder I’m hungry! ” he added, as he 
looked at his nickel watch. ‘‘It’s half-past 
two and after! ” 

“ It can’t be! ” 

“ It is, though. Hello, what’s that? ” He 
pushed the new curtains aside at a front window 
and looked out. “It’s a carriage — with a 
trunk — and bags! I’ll bet it’s the cripple, 
Hope ! Eun and tell Lady! ” 

His sister hurried downstairs, and Jim, lug- 
ging his step-ladder with him, followed more 
slowly, grumbling as he went. “ It’s a wonder 
he couldn’t stay away until the room was ready 
for him.” He put the ladder out of the way 
and went out onto the porch in time to see the 
driver of the carriage open the door and the 
rubber-tipped ends of a pair of crutches appear. 


26 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Still resentful, Jim went down the path and 
reached the gate just as the occupant of 
the vehicle swung himself nimbly to the side- 
walk. 

This is Mrs. Hazard’s, isn’t it? ” he asked 
of Jim. 

Yes. I suppose you’re Latham.” 

Jim’s tone was not very gracious and the 
newcomer looked a little surprised. He was a 
slight, nice looking boy of fifteen, with big wist- 
ful brown eyes set in a somewhat pale but cheer- 
ful face. He was dressed extremely well, even 
expensively, and was quite immaculate from the 
crown of his Panama hat to the tips of his 
smart tan shoes. As he turned to speak to the 
driver he looked like any healthy, normal boy, 
for he appeared well built, straight of back and 
limb, and it was only when he crossed the side- 
walk to the gate that any imperfection showed. 
Then Jim saw that one foot, the left one, swung 
clear of the ground by several inches. 

If you’ll tell the man where my room is he 
will take my baggage up,” said Jeffrey. 

Mrs. Hazard met him on the porch, while 
Hope, frankly curious, hovered* in the back- 
ground. 

I’m so glad to seqyou,” said Jim’s mother 



a 


Tliis is Airs. Hazard’s, isn’t it ? 


> J 


k 











SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


29 


as she shook hands with Jeffrey. ‘‘ Idl show 
you your room, and then you must come down 
and have some dinner with us. This is my 
daughter Hope, and my son you Ve already met. 
And I am Mrs. Hazard. I almost forgot to in- 
troduce myself, didnT I? ’’ 

Jeffrey bowed to Hope. Thank you, 
ma’am,’’ he answered, I’d like to go to my 
room, hut I’ve had my dinner. I stopped at the 
lunch room.” 

Lunch room! Good gracious! ” exclaimed 
Mrs. Hazard, that’s no dinner for a grown 
boy ! Of course you ’ll have something with us ; 
although we ’re hardly settled yet, and our meals 
are still rather skimpy. ’ ’ 

Jeffrey murmured thanks as he followed her 
upstairs, abandoning one of his crutches and 
helping himself along by the banister. The 
driver followed with his trunk, and Jim and 
Hope were left alone in the hall. 

“ Isn’t it a perfect shame? ” cried Hope in- 
dignantly, when the star boarder was out of 
hearing. He’s such a nice boy! ” 

‘‘ Isn’t what a shame? ” growled Jim. 

< < Why, his being like that ! Having to go 
about on crutches ! We must be awfully kind to 
him, Jim.” 


30 


CROFTON CHUMS 


Huh! Jim picked up the boy^s bags and 
started upstairs. Guess I^d be willing to use 
crutches if I could wear clothes like his and buy 
bags like these! 

Oh, Jim! protested Hope. “ That’s an 
awful thing to say! You shouldn’t talk like 
that even — even in fun.” 

Jim grunted and went on. ‘‘ Bet you,” he 
said to himself, “ he will kick about his room. 
The carpet’s worn out and there ought to be 
new paper on the walls.” But if Jeffrey 
Latham observed these things, no one would 
have suspected it. 

What a bully room ! ” he was saying as Jim 
entered. Isn’t it nice and sunny? May I 
keep my trunk in here, Mrs. Hazard? ” 

<< Why, certainly. Between the window and 
the bureau would be a good place, wouldn’t it? 
I’m so glad you like the room. It’s the pleas- 
antest in the house.” 

Jeffrey took out a pigskin purse and opened 
it, exhibiting what looked to Jim like a good 
deal of money. ‘‘ How much do I owe you? ” 
he asked the driver. 

One dollar, sir. Fifty cents for you, sir, 
and the trunk and bags extry. ’ ’ 

^‘Nonsense!” said Jim sharply. ‘‘He’s 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 31 

trying to do you, Latham. Seventy-five’s all it 
ought to be. ’ ’ 

With a heavy trunk and two bags like 
them!” demanded the driver incredulously. 
Jeffrey laughed. 

I dare say the trunk was heavy,” he said 
as he paid the amount asked. Thank you 
very much. ’ ’ 

The driver, mollified, touched his hat and 
took his departure. Jim looked his disgust at 
such a reckless waste of money. 

“ The bathroom is just down the hall on the 
left,” explained Mrs. Hazard. Dinner is 
ready, but you needn’t hurry. Your name is 
Jeffrey, isn’t it? You see, I must know; what 
to call you.” 

Yes’m, it’s Jeffrey, but I’m generally 
called Jeff. I’ll just wash a bit and come right 
down, although I’m really not hungry.” 

Perhaps Hope was right in her theory that 
what Jim needed was food, for after he had had 
his soup he forgot his peevishness. Mrs. Haz- 
ard did most of the talking, although Hope 
showed unmistakable symptoms of being quite 
willing to help out. Jeffrey answered ques- 
tions unreservedly. They learned that his 
home was in Poughkeepsie, New York; that he 


32 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


was entered in the Lower Middle Class; that 
he had never been away from his folks before, 
although he had evidently traveled about a good 
deal; and that while others might pity him for 
his infirmity, he wasted no pity on himself, but 
was quite cheerful and contented. 

“ Yes^m, I like reading pretty well,’^ he said 
in answer to one of Mrs. Hazard’s questions, 
but I like to be out of doors better. There 
isn’t much I can do myself, but I like to see 
other fellows have fun. I’m crazy about 
football and baseball and things like that. 
At home I’m always running around to the 
games. ’ ’ 

It must be very hard,” murmured Mrs. 
Hazard sympathetically, ‘ ‘ not to be able to — 
to take part in them. But I do think you get 
about wonderfully on your crutches.” 

I ought to,” laughed Jeffrey. ‘‘ I’ve been 
practising all my life. I’ve had this bum leg 
ever since I was born. Oh, you get used to 
it ; used to not being able to do things like other 
fellows, I mean. Besides, I’ve seen chaps 
worse off than me. I can row a little.” 

“ Wish I could,” said Jim, making his sec- 
ond remark of the meal. 

‘‘ I guess you could if you tried,” answered 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 33 

Jeffrey. It isn^t hard. I suppose there are 
boats here? 

Lots,’’ said Jim. They have crews, too, 
you know.” 

Jeffrey nodded. ‘‘Yes, that’s partly why I 
came here. I’ve always been fond of boat 
racing. At Poughkeepsie, you know, we have a 
lot of it every year. Are you — do you go to 
Crofton? ” 

“ Yes,” answered Jim, passing his plate for 
a second helping, “ I begin to-morrow. We’re 
in the same class, too.” 

“ Really? And are there other fellows 
here? ” 

“ In the house? No, not yet. We’ve got 
three other rooms, but yours is the only one 
taken.” 

“We hope to rent the others,” explained 
Mrs. Hazard. “ This is our first year here. 
We have always lived in Essexport; that’s on 
the coast, you know; but when Jim decided that 
he’d rather go to Crofton than anywhere else, 
we decided that we couldn’t do without him. 
So we rented our house at home and took this. 
My husband died three years ago and since then 
Jim has looked after us. Hope and I are awful 
babies, aren’t we, Hope? ” 


34 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Speak for yourself, Lady! Jim and I — 
Listen I There ’s somebody going upstairs ! ’ ’ 
Idl see who it isJ’ Jim laid aside his nap- 
kin, pushed back his chair and hurried out. In 
the hall he was just in time to see the end of a 
bag disappear about the turn of the landing. 
He ran up the stairs, wondering. At the open 
door of Jetfrey’s room stood, bag in hand, a big 
thick-set boy of apparently seventeen years of 
age. He had a good deal of color in his cheeks, 
very dark eyes and a mass of unruly black hair 
under the funny little crimson cap perched on 
the back of his head. He turned at the sound 
of Jim’s approach and scowled at him across 
the banisters. 

Hello,” he growled. 

HeUo,” replied Jim, taking at the instant a 
strong dislike to him. ‘‘ Do you want a 
room? ” 

‘‘ No, I’m looking for four-leaved clovers,” 
he replied with a grin. Who are you? ” 

My name is Hazard,” answered Jim, be- 
ginning to lose his temper, and I happen to 
live here, if you don’t mind.” 

“ Oh, I don’t mind,” laughed the other un- 
pleasantly. ‘‘ Wrhat I want to know is why 
isn’t my room ready? 


SUNNYWOOD COTTAGE 


35 


Your room? ’’ 

‘‘Sure! Those your things in there? If 
they are, dump ’em out, Bunker — or whatever 
your name is.” 

If you want a room I’ll show you one,” 
said Jim, but that room’s taken.” 

Taken? You bet it’s taken! I took it last 
year, and if you don’t dump that trunk and 
thos^ bags out I will.” 

That room is rented to a fellow named 
Latham,” answered Jim warmly. Who the 
dickens are you, anyway? ” 

Who am I? I’m Brandon Gary, that’s 
who I am. And I engaged this room from 
Mother Timberlake last June. And what’s 
more, I mean to have it I ” 


CHAPTER III 


GAEY KECONSIDERS 

T he sound of the talking had brought the 
others from the table to the hall below, 
and now Mrs. Hazard came up the stairs to in- 
quire anxiously; ‘‘ What is it, Jim? Is any- 
thing wrong? ” 

This fellow says he engaged this room last 
spring and means to have it,^’ replied Jim. 

Engaged this room? But — but how could 
you? ’’ Mrs. Hazard observed Brandon Gary 
bewilderedly. “We only took the house last 
month! ’’ 

The claimant had snatched off his crimson 
cap at Mrs. Hazard ^s appearance on the scene 
and when he replied his tone was much more 
respectful. “ I engaged it from the lady who 
had it last year, ma’am, and it’s always been 
a rule here that when a house changes hands 
the — the new landlady takes it — er — subject 
to — to— ” 

“ I understand,” said Mrs. Hazard helpfully, 

36 



“What is it, Jim? Is anything wrong?” inquired 
Mrs. Hazard. 



4 






GARY RECONSIDERS 


39 


smiling her sweetest, but I knew nothing about 
any reservations. You see, Mrs. Timberlake 
left early in the summer and I took the house 
from an agent. And he said nothing at all 
about any of the rooms being taken. I^m aw- 
fully sorry. But there are three other very 
nice rooms for rent — ’’ She paused and 
looked at Jim with a look of comical despair. 
^ ‘ Unless they are engaged too ! ’ ’ 

“ Don’t believe so,” said Gary. He had set 
his bag down, thrust his hands into his pockets 
and dropped some of his aggressiveness, al- 
though it was plain to be seen that he meant to 
have his rights. You see, ma’am, the fellows 
never liked Mother Timberlake much. I didn’t 
either, but I’d always had my heart set on this 
room, and so, when Kidder graduated last June, 
I made a streak over here and nabbed it. I had 
a chance at living in hall, too, this year. I’m 
sorry you didn’t know about it, but I guess you 
can’t expect me to give it up. This chap ” — 
nodding at Jim — says you’ve rented the 
room to some one else. Well, all he’s got 
to do is take one of the other rooms. That’s 
easy.” 

Gary picked up his bag, walked through the 
door and took formal possession. Jim and Mrs. 

3 


40 CROFTON CHUMS 

Hazard looked at each other at a loss. Jim was 
angry clear through, and yet the newcomer 
seemed to have the law on his side. “ I sup- 
pose, faltered Mrs. Hazard, ‘‘ we might let 
Mr. Gordon decide.’’ Jim frowned. Gary had 
set his bag on the table, opened it and was 
now unpacking. I’d like to chuck him out the 
window! ” muttered Jim. 

“ Perhaps Jeffrey would just as soon have 
one of the other rooms,” suggested his mother 
weakly. “ What do you think? ” 

‘‘ I guess he’d take one and be decent about 
it,” answered Jim, eying the intruder with 
strong distaste, ‘‘ only I don’t think it’s fair 
to ask him to. I don’t care what the — the 
custom is here ; no one told us about this room 
being engaged, and I don’t believe that fellow 
has any right to it.” 

At the back of the house a bell pealed and 
Mrs. Hazard went and leaned over the banisters. 
Jim followed slowly. 

‘‘ Have you any rooms left? ” asked a voice 
at the doorway. 

Yes,’ replied Hope. If you’ll wait a mo- 
ment I will call my brother. Will you come in- 
side? ” 

Will you see them? ” asked Mrs. Hazard. 


GAEY EECONSIDEES 


41 


Jim nodded and went down. Hope rejoined 
Jeffrey in the dining-room. Near the front 
door stood two boys talking together softly. 
They had no bags with them, nor was there any 
conveyance to be seen outside. 

‘‘ You wanted to look at a room? asked 
Jim gloomily. 

Please,’^ replied the taller of the two. 

This way, then. There’s a back room on 
this floor to rent and one or two upstairs.” 
Jim threw open the door of the chamber oppo- 
site the dining-room and they looked in. It was 
not a very attractive apartment, however, and 
they didn’t enter. 

‘ ‘ I think something upstairs would be nicer, ’ ’ 
said one. He turned, crossed the hall and 
looked into the dining-room. ‘‘ Oh, I beg your 
pardon,” he said, “ that’s not a bedroom, is 
it ? ” But in spite of his apology he seemed in 
no hurry to withdraw. 

That’s the dining-room,” said Jim shortly. 

I see.” The boy gave a final look at the 
room — and its occupants — and followed to- 
ward the stairway. ‘‘ Is the comer room on 
that side rented? ” he asked. 

Yes,” replied Jim grimly. ‘‘ Very much 
rented ! ’ ’ Then he stopped on the landing and 


42 


CROFTON CHUMS 


faced the two boys. Say, you fellows aren^t 
new here, are you? 

No,” replied the elder, ‘‘ why? ” 

I want to know something. We rented a 
room to a fellow about a week ago and he came 
to-day. ThaUs he in the dining-room. Now 
another chap comes along and says he engaged 
the same room from the lady who had the house 
last year. It^s the corner room you asked 
about. This new chap says weVe got to stand 
by what Mrs. Timberlake did. I don’t think 
that’s sense. We never saw her and didn’t 
know anything about it. At that rate she may 
have rented all the rooms, for all we know ! ’ ’ 

The two boys looked at each other doubtfully. 

‘‘ Well, the chap’s right in a way, I guess. 
It is customary. But if he’s a new boy how 
does he know so much about it? ” This from 
the taller of the two. 

He’s not new,” said Jim. ‘‘ I guess he’s 
been here two years or so from the looks of 
him. He said his name was — Gerry, or some- 
thing like that. ’ ’ 

“ Gerry? You don’t mean Gary, do you? ” 
Yes, that’s it.” 

The two boys exchanged glances and began to 
chuckle. 


GAEY RECONSIDERS 43 

‘‘ ‘ Bull ’ Gary ! Sounds like him, doesn’t it? 
Is he here now? ” 

‘‘ Yes, in the room,” answered Jim. 

‘ ‘ I think, then, you had better let us talk with 
him. Hold on, though. Did you rent the house 
from Mrs. Timberlake? ” 

“ No. She left early in the summer. We 
rented from an agent, Mr. Simpson.” 

“ Ah, that simplifies the case, eh. Poke? ” 
Like anything,” was the cheerful response. 
^ ‘ Lead us to him. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Do you fellows know him? ” asked Jim 
doubtfully. 

Rather! We’re very dear friends of his. 
You leave it all to us.” 

They went on up, bowed to Mrs. Hazard, who 
still waited in the haU, and made for the corner 
room. Jim dropped back. 

‘‘ Well, well, if it isn’t Bull! ” 

Gary turned with a doubtful grin. 

Hello, Poke! Hello, Gil! Where ’d you fel- 
lows come from? Aren’t living here, are 
you? ” 

‘‘ No, we’re still at the old place,” answered 
Gil. ‘ ‘ Whose room is this. Bull ? ’ ’ 

Mine, of course. Not bad, is it? ” 

No, it’s fine and dandy, but I understood 


44 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


that some one else had taken this. Didn^t that 
chap downstairs tell ns that, Poke! ” 

‘‘ Sure he did. I guess BulPs spoofing. 

I dare say he did tell you that,’’ said Gary. 
But I engaged this room last June from Mrs. 
Timberlake.” 

‘ ‘ Oh, I see I ” Gil nodded his head. ‘ ‘ Well, 
that explains it. Too bad, too, for it’s a mighty 
pleasant room. Still, there ’s one across the hall 
that looks pretty decent and I dare say you’ll 
be just as happy there. Bull. ’ ’ 

Me! I’m staying here,” said Gary un- 
easily. 

But Gil shook his head gently and firmly. So 
did Poke. 

No, you can’t do that, you see,” said Gil. 
This room belongs to the other chap. You 
see. Bull, Mrs. Timberlake gave up the house. 

That canceled everything. Then this Mrs. 

Mrs. Whatshername took it from Simpson. 
Get me. Bull ! Your case isn ’t good, old scout. ’ ’ 
‘ ‘ That makes no difference ! ’ ’ blustered 
Gary. ‘‘ I engaged this room — ” 

Tut, tut! Don’t be dense. Bull. Have we 
got to explain it aU over again to you! Honest, 
Gil, he’s the prize dunce, isn’t he! ” 

‘‘ Oh, he understands all right. He’s just 


GARY RECONSIDERS 45 

trying to tease us. Let’s have a look at the 
room opposite, Bull.” 

I don’t want to see the room opposite,” 
Gary protested with vehemence. 

“ Then why not have a look at the hack 
rooms ? Of course, they aren’t as sunny as this, 
hut I’ve no doubt they’re quite comfortable.” 

I’ll stay just where I am,” growled Gary. 
But there was a tone of uncertainty in his voice. 
Gil smiled indulgently. Poke flecked an imag- 
inary speck of dust from his sleeve. 

‘‘ Strange how dense some folks are, Gil,” 
said the latter. Gary flushed, and tried bluster. 

‘‘You fellows think you can come here and 
bullyrag me into doing anything you like. Well, 
you’re mightily mistaken. I know my rights 
and I intend to stand up for them. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Noble youth ! But you haven ’t any rights in 
this case. Bull. You’re just making a silly ass 
of yourself and being disagreeable. Don’t let’s 
have any bother about it. Bull. ’ ’ This from Gil. 

“ I rented this room — ” 

“ S-sh! Remember, please, that there’s a 
gentleman present, ’ ’ remonstrated Poke. ‘ ‘ Be 
sensible. Bull. Honest, you’ve got your signals 
mixed. ’ ’ 

Gary looked from one to the other for a mo- 


46 


CROFTON CHUMS 


ment, swallowed hard once and yielded. ‘ ^ All 
right, but I don’t have to give this room up 
unless I want to.” 

“ You’re doing it, Bull,” responded Poke 
sweetly, ‘‘ because you are the soul of gener- 
osity. Ah, we know you, you rascal ! ’ ’ 

‘‘We will examine the other apartments,” 
said Gil. 

“ Not for me,” growled Gary. “ If I can’t 
have this room I don’t want to stay in this hole. 
I’ll go back to Sanger’s.” He began to pile his 
things back in his bag. Gil and Poke eyed each 
other dubiously. 

“I — I don’t believe I’d do that,” said Gil 
finally. ‘ ‘ This is a perfectly good house. Bull, 
and the landlady hasn’t let many of her 
rooms — ” 

“I don’t care if she hasn’t! I hope she 
won’t! You can make me give up this room, 
but you can’t make me stay here ! ” 

Gil and Poke recognized the truth of that. 
Gary slammed his bag shut, seized his cap and 
strode wrathfully downstairs and out the door 
with neither a glance nor word for Mrs. Hazard 
or Jim. 

“ I’m afraid we’ve lost you a — a tenant,” 


GAEY EECONSIDEES 47 

said Gil to Mrs. Hazard. We didn^t mean 
for him to leave the house.’’ 

That doesn’t matter. It was very kind of 
you to straighten it out about the room. We’re 
so much obliged to you.” 

“I’m glad he’s gone,” declared Jim. “ I 
don’t like him.” 

“Jim dear,” remonstrated his mother, “ you 
mustn’t say that. He may he a very nice hoy 
for all we know. Has my son shown you the 
rooms we have to let? ” she added, turning to 
Gil. 

“ Er — ^yes, thanks; that is, he was showing 
them when — ” 

‘ ‘ This room over here is quite pleasant, ’ ’ she 
said, leading the way to the door across the 
hall. ‘ ‘ It has only one bed in it, but we can set 
up another one if necessary. Were you both 
thinking of coming? ” 

Poke looked a trifle uneasy, hut Gil came to 
the rescue. 

“ We’ve been rooming in hall, ma’am, and 
were just sort of looking around to see what 
there was. We ’re not decided yet. ’ ’ He looked 
at the room. “ I suppose this gets the after- 
noon sun until quite late.” 


48 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ Yes, indeed,’^ replied Mrs. Hazard. It^s 
quite a warm room in winter, I ’m told. ’ ^ 

Poke looked in over GiPs shoulder. It really 
was a very jolly-looking room. It was big and 
square, with two broad windows on the front 
and a hay on the side. The furnishings were 
neither new nor elaborate, hut there was a 
roomy bureau, a big library table that had seen 
better days, two good easy cliairs, two straight- 
backed ones and a washstand. And of course 
there was a bed, a simple white-enameled iron 
bed that looked both clean and comfortable. 
On the walls were hung several pictures, the 
windows had neat dimity curtains and the floor 
was covered with a cheerful red and gray carpet 
which, if it showed wear in some places, was 
still quite presentable. There was a fireplace 
and mantel, too, and the fireplace looked as 
though it could be used. 

It’s a very nice room,” said Poke warmly. 

‘‘ Dandy,” said Gil. ‘‘ I suppose we — I sup- 
pose whoever had it could have a fire there. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Oh, I should think so, ’ ’ answered Mrs. Haz- 
ard. But I hope that the furnace will keep 
the house warm enough without having to use 
the grates.” 

‘ ‘ How much would this room be ? ” asked Gil. ^ 


GAEY EECONSIDEES 


49 


‘‘ Well, I suppose — ’’ Mrs. Hazard turned to 
Jim for assistance — suppose for two it 
would be ten dollars a week. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Eleven,’’ said Jim firmly. ‘‘ But we don’t 
charge for board, of course, when you are 
away. Then you just pay three dollars for the 
room.” 

That seems reasonable,” declared Poke. 

‘‘ Quite,” agreed Gil. 

‘ ‘ I dare say if we wanted a fire any time we 
could have it by paying something extra? ” 
Poke asked. 

Just pay for what you burn,” said Jim. 

‘‘ I see.” Gil turned to Poke. ‘‘ What do 
you think? ” 

Why, we — we might think it over a little,” 
gasped Poke. 

“ Better let us know pretty soon,” said Jim 
in businesslike tones. ‘ ‘ We couldn ’t hold it for 
you, of course.” 

“ N-no,” replied Gil, I suppose not.” 

There was a silence. Gil and Poke stared 
fascinatedly at each other. Finally : 

‘‘ I guess,” blurted Gil, we’ll say we’ll take 
it! ” 

But, Gil! ” cried Poke. Don’t you think 
— Hadn’t we better talk it over a bit first? ” 


50 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ Well, maybe we bad. We — we’ll let you 
know in — in an hour.” 

Much obliged,” murmured Poke as they 
made tbeir escape downstairs. 

Once out of sight of the house Gil pulled up 
and leaned against the fence. That — that 
was awful! ” he gasped. In another minute 
we ’d have rented the room ! ’ ’ 

Sure thing,” agreed Poke solemnly. 
‘‘ How the dickens did we get started? ” 

How did we get started? ” exclaimed the 
other indignantly. ‘‘ Why, you insisted on go- 
ing in there to look at rooms, you idiot ! ’ ’ 

‘‘ Well, you asked how much it was, didn’t 
you ? It was all safe enough until then. ’ ’ 

Now, hang it. Poke, I feel as though we’d 
ought to take it; as though it was our duty! 
After all, you know, we drove Bull away. ’ ’ 

How can we take it, you simpleton? 
Haven’t we got a room already? Honest, Gil, 
you oughtn’t to be trusted out alone! If it 
hadn ’t been for me we ’d been saddled with two 
rooms now! ” 

Well, why didn’t you help me? You could 
see that I was — was hypnotized ! ’ ’ 

I guess I was too,” laughed Poke. ‘‘ I 
never knew before how easy it is to buy some- 


GARY RECONSIDERS 


51 


thing you don’t want ! Not that I wouldn’t like 
to have that room, though. It’s a peach, isn’t 
it? ” 

Yes, it’s about twice the size of Number 12. 
I wonder what it would be like to have all the 
light and sunshine you wanted. ’ ’ 

‘‘I’m crazy about the windows,” said Poke. 
“We could have a seat built in that bay, Gil.” 

“ Sure. And with our pictures and stuff to 
fix up with the room would look dandy.” 

‘ ‘ Great ! ’ ’ sighed Poke. 

There was a silence. At last : 

“I don’t suppose J. G. would let us give up 
our room now, ’ ’ observed Gil thoughtfully. 

“We might find out, ’ ’ answered Poke. They 
turned by common impulse and stared at each 
other. Then Poke broke into a laugh. 

“ Let’s do it! ” he shouted. 

Gil grinned. “ All right,” he answered. 

They shook hands on it. 


CHAPTER IV 


MK. GORDON RECEIVES 


T a quarter before five, tbat afternoon the 



expressman landed the last of GiPs and 
Poke ’s belongings in the corner room at Sunny- 
wood Cottage. On his final trip upstairs the 
expressman carried a waste-basket filled with 
books and a crimson sofa pillow embroidered 
with a gray C. Gil paid him, closed the door 
behind him and then with a shout of triumph 
seized the cushion and hurled it across the room 
at Poke. As Poke was at that instant bent over 
a suit case, extracting a miscellaneous assort- 
ment of books, balls, pens, shoes and so forth 
from it, and as the cushion struck him square 
between his shoulders, the result was interesting 
and spectacular. Poke ’s head went into the suit 
case and his feet fiew out behind him. Gil, 
chortling gleefully, watched Poke recover his 
equilibrium. Then, by deftly dropping to the 
floor at the psychological moment, he escaped 


52 


ME. GOEDON EECEIVES 


53 


the rubber-soled shoe that sang across the room 
and banged against the door. He picked np the 
missile and tossed it back. Poke caught with 
one band, swooped down and tagged the suit 
case. Gil waved bis band. 

‘ ‘ Out at the plate ! ’ ’ be yelled. 

Then they looked at each other and grinned. 

‘‘ Get busy,’^ said Poke finally. IPs most 
five o’clock. Say, you bate to unpack, don’t 
you? ” 

Observe the trouble I saved myself at ball,” 
said Gil, pointing to bis trunk. “If I’d un- 
packed there, as you did, I’d have bad it all to 
do over again. See ? ’ ’ 

“ Well, as we aren’t likely to move again to- 
day you’d better get busy. Say, it was a great 
scheme of ours to get here early and be all set- 
tled ahead of the others, wasn’t it? ” 

“ Marvelous,” agreed Gil ironically. “ See 
us now! ” 

Poke looked over the room and grinned. 
“ Looks as though it bad been struck by a cy- 
clone, doesn’t it? Say, this is a dandy big 
closet.” 

“ Well, don’t bog it all. Seen my trunk key 
anywhere? ” 

“ Yes, I saw it on the window sill at ball.” 


54 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ Oh, feathers ! Well, I^m not going back for 
it to-night. Let ’s try yonrs. Poke. ’ ’ 

Won’t fit. You tried it last year. Get a 
hammer.” 

‘‘ Haven’t any.” 

‘ ‘ Put your fool head out in the hall and yell 
for one. ’ ’ 

“All right. Say, Poke, weren’t you sur- 
prised when J. G. let us olf on our room? ” 

‘ ‘ Eather ! But I dare say there are plenty of 
fellows who’ll be glad of it.” 

“Well, they can have it! I like this ten 
times better. Of course we’re paying a little 
more — ” 

“ About fifty cents a week more,” said Poke 
scornfully, “ and what’s that? I’ll bet Mrs. 
Hazard will give us better things to eat than we 
got at school. And anyway it will be more — 
more homelike.” 

“ ‘ Be it ever so humble, there’s no place like 
home,’ ” sang Gil as he opened the door. Then, 
“ Say, Poke, who shall I yell for? ” 

“ Yell for a hammer, of course.” 

“ Hammer! Hammer!” cried Gil softly. 
“It doesn’t come. Poke! What’s the chap’s 
name? ” 


“ Hazard.” 


MR. GORDON RECEIVES 


55 


First name, I mean.” 

I don’t know.” 

Well, maybe be wouldn’t like to have me 
get familiar on so short an acquaintance,” re- 
flected Gil. I guess I’ll go down and find 
some one.” 

‘‘ Don’t get lost,” advised Poke. 

Gil didn’t have to search far, for Jim was in 
the lower hall. Gil explained his quandary. 

I guess I can get it open for you without 
prying the hasp off,” said Jim. Wait a min- 
ute and I’ll get some keys.” 

Five minutes later Jim lifted the lid in tri- 
umph. There you are,” he said. ‘‘ Say, you 
fellows have got a raft of truck, haven’t you? 
Going to put all those pictures up? ” 

I guess so,” answered Gil, if there’s room 
for them. ’ ’ 

“ Better let me help you, then,” said Jim. 

Tell me where you want them to go. I’ll get 
the step-ladder.” 

“He’s a good-hearted kid,” observed Poke as 
Jim hurried off. 

“ Your friend came back again,” announced 
Jim as he returned with the ladder, “ just after 
you telephoned. Said he ’d decided to take this 
room. I told him we ’d just rented it and he was 


56 


CROFTON CHUMS 


as mad as a hornet. You would have thought 
that we ’d cheated him out of it. ’ ’ 

Oh, that^s like Bull Gary,’’ said Gil. He 
has an overdeveloped sense of importance.” 

^ ‘ He ’s got an ingrowing ego, ’ ’ said Poke. 

‘‘ I don’t know what that is,” laughed Jim, 

‘ ‘ but it sounds bad. ’ ’ 

‘‘ It’s awful,” Poke assured him solemnly. 

Let’s put that one over the bed. Hazard. 
Want help? ” 

‘‘No, you fellows go on and get your things 
unpacked. We have supper in about an hour.” 

“ That sounds reasonable,” said Gil. 

“I’d like to know how you managed that fel- 
low the way you did,” said Jim presently. 

“ Who? Gary? ” asked Gil. “ Well, not to 
make a mystery of it, Hazard, we all belong to 
the same society, Plato, and in Plato every fel- 
low is supposed to act decently. Bull wasn’t 
acting decently and he knew it.” 

“ Oh, do you have societies here? ” asked Jim. 

“ Four,” was the reply. “ There’s Plato, 
which is the best, and to which Endicott and I 
belong — ” 

“ Also Bull Gary,” said Poke dryly. “ But 
Bull was an accident. ’ ’ 


MB. GOEDON EECEIVES 57 

And Pindar, Homer and Hesiod,’’ continued 
Gil. 

‘‘ Are they secret societies'? How does a fel- 
low get into them? ” 

Yes, they’re secret. And a fellow doesn’t 
get into them ; he ’s taken in. Each society has 
from thirty to forty members. New members 
are taken in each year during Winter Term. ’ ’ 

“ I see,” said Jim, moving the ladder to a 
new location. ‘‘ I thought maybe you could be 
proposed and get in that way.” 

‘‘ Why? ” asked Poke. “ Are you at 
school? ” 

‘‘I’m starting to-morrow,” replied Jim. 
“I’m in the Lower Middle Class. I suppose 
you fellows are beyond that, aren’t you ? ” 

“ One year,” replied Gil. “ I didn’t know 
you were one of us. Hazard. What do you think 
of our seat of learning? ” 

‘ ‘ I like it, ’ ’ answered Jim warmly. “ I ’ve al- 
ways wanted to come here. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ Know many fellows ? ’ ’ asked Poke. 

Jim shook his head. “Not a one.” , 

“ Wrong, Mr. Hazard,” said Gil; “ you know 
two. Mr. Perry Oldham Kirkland Endicott and 
Mr. Gilbert Benton, two of the Academy’s most 


f 


58 CEOFTON CHUMS 

prominent and representative members. Bow, 
Poke.’’ 

“ Happy to meet your inquaintance,” mur- 
mured Poke politely. 

‘‘ Well, I know you fellows a little,” laughed 
Jim, “ and I know the chap across the hall in 
the same way. But that ’s all. ’ ’ 

That doesn’t matter. You’ll soon know 
plenty of fellows. Who is the chap you spoke 

on ” 

“ His name is Latham, Jeifrey Latham, and 
he comes from Poughkeepsie. He’s a sort of a 
cripple. One leg’s shorter than the other. He 
says he was born that way. He seems a nice 
sort of fellow, and I was mighty glad that Gary 
didn’t get his room from him.” 

Cripple, eh? That’s hard lines. What 
class is he in? ” 

“ Lower Middle, same as me.” 

‘ ‘ Then we ’re all Middlers here. Is the young 
lady your sister. Hazard? ” 

Yes. Hope’s going to High School when it 
starts. It’s her first year.” 

“ Is your father here? ” asked Poke. 

No, he’s dead,” answered Jim. ‘‘ Died 
about three years ago. That’s why we’re here 


MR. GORDON RECEIVES 59 

doing this. Everything went smash when dad 
died.’’ 

‘‘ Too had,” said Poke sympathetically. 
‘‘ Never mind the rest of those pictures. 
You’ve done enough already. Besides, I’m go- 
ing to knock otf work-and get ready for supper.” 

“ There aren’t many more to go up,” said 
Jim. ‘‘ I’ll stick ’em under this bed.” 

‘‘ Don’t forget that we must telegraph this 
evening. Poke,” said Gil. ‘‘We can telephone 
to the office from here. ’ ’ 

“ That’s so,” answered Poke, adding in ex- 
planation to Jim, while a broad smile enveloped 
his countenance. “You see. Hazard,* we’ve got 
to get permission from home to change our 
lodgings.” 

“ But you’ve already done it! ” exclaimed 
Jim. “ Suppose' — ^ suppose your folks won’t 
let you? ” 

Visions of having the room back on his hands, 
empty again, gave him an anxious moment. 
But Gil smiled reassuringly. 

“ Oh, that’ll be all right,” he declared. “ I 
shall wire, ‘ Poke moving to village. Am going 
with him. Wire permission. ’ ’ ’ 

“ And I,” said Poke, “ shall say, ‘ Gil mov- 


60 CROFTON CHUMS 

ing to village. Am going with him. Wire per- 
mission.’ ” He winked at Jim. ‘‘ Easy, 
what? ” 

‘‘ Well, I hope it works,” laughed Jim. 
“ Supper will he ready in about ten minutes. 
Guess I ’ll go and wash up. ’ ’ 

Much obliged for helping us,” said Gil. 
‘ ‘ See you later. ’ ’ 

Sunnywood Cottage may be said to have form- 
ally opened its season that evening at supper. 
At one end of the table sat Mrs. Hazard, at the 
other Jim. Hope sat at her mother ’s right with 
Jeffrey Latham beside her, and across from 
them were Gil and Poke. Jeffrey was a bit shy 
at first, but by the time supper was half over 
Gn and Poke had made friends with him and the 
meal was a very jolly one. 

‘‘ This certainly beats dining-hall,” declared 
Poke, accepting a second dish of Mrs. Hazard’s 
preserves. 

‘‘Well, rather!” Gil agreed. “We never 
had preserves like this, did we. Poke? ” 

“Nor cake like this, either,” added Poke, 
looking politely expectant at Hope, in front of 
whom the cake dish was reposing. 

“ Do have another piece,” said Mrs. Hazard, 


ME. GORDON RECEIVES 63 

smiling with pleasure. ‘‘ I shall tell Jane that 
you like it. ’ ’ 

Poke-accepted his third slice demurely. 

‘‘ Is Jane the cook, ma^am? She’s a dandy, 
all right ! ’ ’ 

“ Jane made the cake,” answered Mrs. Haz- 
ard, “ but I can’t trust her yet with all the cook- 
ing. I think she is going to do very nicely after 
she has had a little more experience.” 

‘‘ Yes’m, experience is what counts,” said 
Poke gravely. 

“ Well, you’re getting plenty of experience 
with that cake,” said Gil dryly. “ I guess, Mrs. 
Hazard, I ought to warn you now that Poke is 
an awful eater. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Huh! I don’t begin to eat as much as you 
do. Have some more cake, Latham? You 
don’t eat much, do you? ” 

‘‘ Oh, yes, I do, but Mrs. Hazard made me 
take dinner after I came. And I didn’t want 
to seem impolite and so I ate a whole lot.” 

‘‘ Come to think of it,” said Gil, ‘‘it’s a 
good idea to leave a little room for J. G.’s ice 
cream and wafers.” 

“ By Jove,” exclaimed Poke, “ I forgot about 
that! ” 


64 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


To-night, do you mean? ’’ ashed Jim 
‘‘ Do you get things to eat at the recej' t ion ? 

‘‘ Sure thing! Ice cream and those sugar j 
wafers that taste like blotting pap( lUs a : 
good plan to go early, though; last year the 
eats gave out about nine o’clock.’’ 

‘‘ Are you expected to go to it? ” asked Jim. : 

‘‘ Yes,” replied Gil. Of course you don’t f 
have to, but it’s a pretty good idea to do it, j 
Hazard. You get a chance to meet fellows, you ' 
see. Faculty too. ‘ Boots ’ ^ — that’s Thurston, 
you know; physics — will tell you about his [ 
trip to Europe, and ‘Kitty’ Clarke — he’s ? 
chemistry — will talk fishing until your head J 
spins. Besides, you’ll meet Mrs. Gordon, and | 
she’s a dandy, isn’t she. Poke? ” I 

“ Yes. We’ll all start about eight. You’re 
going, Latham? ” / 

“ Yes, but I’ll start a little ahead. I can’t i-' 

0 

get along quite as fast as you fellows.” 

“ Oh, we’re in no great rush. We’ll all go ^ 
together. We’d better go by the road, though; ji 
I guess you’d find it pretty hard through the f 
woods. Let’s telephone those messages to the ii 
telegraph office now, Gil, before we forget it.^ ’ | 

Half an hour later they were off, Gil and 
Poke ahead and Jim and Jeffrey behind, all suit- i' 


:IR. GOEDON EECEIVES 


65 


vlie pace to Jeffrey’s. He managed to 
^ • self along about as fast as an ordi- 

and that was fast enough for any of 
them this evening, for all had supped well and 
it was still pretty warm, although the sun had 
been down for a good half-hour and there was 
a little breeze from the west. It was not quite 
dark as they followed the winding road, but 
when, presently, the school buildings came into 
sight beyond the trees lights were agleam in 
most of the rooms. 

Seems funny not to be living up there,” 
reflected Poke. I wonder who’ll get our 
room. ’ ’ 

Homesick already? ” laughed Gil. Much 
I care who gets it. I believe we’re going to 
have a dandy time at — what’s its name? ” 
Sunnywood Cottage,” replied Poke as they 
turned onto the drive that led past the rear of 
Academy Hall to the Principal’s residence. 
‘‘ Say, I like Mrs. Hazard, don’t you? ” 

“ You bet! She’s a lady.” 

“Yes, she’s — she’s sort of like a fellow’s 
own mother, isn’t she? And she certainly has 
great preserves ! ’ ’ 

The house was brilliantly lighted and already 
fellows were arriving. Gil and Poke waited at 


66 


CROFTON CHUMS 


the steps for the others to come up. Then, set- 
tling their collars and furtively slicking down 
their hair, they followed the stream, deposited 
their caps in the hall and entered the big library, 
already half full of guests. Mr. Gordon, the 
Principal, or J. G. as the boys called him, was 
receiving with Mrs. Gordon, and toward them 
the Sunnywood contingent made their way, Gil 
and Poke, however, stopping at least a dozen 
times to greet friends. On several occasions 
Jim and Jelfrey were introduced, but only one 
name stuck in Jim’s memory afterwards, that 
of a big, good-looking, broad-shouldered fellow 
of nineteen, who squeezed Jim’s hand like a vise 
and of whom Gil whispered a moment later as 
they passed on: “ That’s Duncan Sargent, 
football captain; one of the best! ” Then Jim 
was shaking hands with Mr. Gordon and Mrs. 
Gordon and the Principal was saying: 

This is James Hazard, my dear. His 
mother has taken the Timberlake house, you 
know.” 

The Principal was a sturdily built man of 
fifty-odd, clean-shaven, with a nice face and a 
voice that made you like him instantly. In ap- 
pearance he was more the business man than 
the scholar. Jim had met Mr. Gordon several 


MB. GOBDON BECEIVES 67 

times already, but Mrs. Gordon be bad never 
seen. Sbe asked kindly about Jim’s mother and 
bow tbe bouse was prospering. Then another 
boy claimed her attention and Jim stepped back 
out of tbe way just as Jetfrey, who bad found 
difficulty in getting through tbe throng, reached 
Mr. Gordon. 

How do you do? ” greeted tbe Principal, 
shaking bands in bis hearty way. And what 
is your name? We haven’t met before, have 
we? You must set me right if I am wrong. I 
confess that I sometimes forget a face.” 

My name is Latham, sir, Jeffrey Latham. 
I came to-day.” 

‘ ^ To be sure ! And so you’re Latham, eh? I 
believe — yes, I think I might have known it, 
my boy, for there is certainly a strong resem- 
blance to your father. And how is the Senator ? 
Well, I trust? ” 

Yes, sir, thank you.” 

‘‘I’m pleased to hear it. A fine man, La- 
tham. I have had the pleasure of meeting him 
once or twice in a casual way. I hope you’ll 
find your stay with us happy and profitable, 
Latham. You must come and take tea with 
Mrs. Gordon and me some evening.” 

As Jeffrey shook hands with Mrs. Gordon and 


68 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


turned away Poke Endicott, who had been next 
him in line, dragged him aside. 

MThat did J. G. mean about the Senator, 
Latham? Is he your father? ’’ 

‘‘Yes,’’ replied Jeffrey. 

Poke whistled softly. 

“Don’t that beat all!” he ejaculated. 
“ Why, man alive. Senator Latham and my dad 
are regular old cronies. Haven’t you ever 
heard him speak of Major Endicott? ” 

“ Lots of times! ” cried Jeffrey. “ Is that 
your father? ” 

“ That’s the dad! Why, say, Latham, you 
and I are pretty nearly relatives, aren’t we? ” 
He grinned and stretched out his hand. 
“ Senator, I’m pleased to meet you! ” he cried. 


CHAPTER V 


MB. HANKS KENTS A BOOM 

W ITH the ringing of chapel hell in the old 
stone turret of Academy Hall the next 
morning Crofton began its forty-third year. 
Seven-fifteen seemed to come extremely early, 
for none of the boys in Sunnywood Cottage had 
gone to bed until very late the night before. 
There had been lots to talk about after the re- 
ception and they had loitered on the way home 
and afterwards had congregated in Jeffrey’s 
room for a final gossip. Jim, for one, pulled 
himself out of bed with a sigh ; it seemed to him 
that he could have slept until noon to-day. Gil 
and Poke were already downstairs when he ar- 
rived, and Jeffrey followed a minute later. 
They chose the y^ood path, Jeffrey protesting 
his ability to manage it. And manage it he 
did very well, swinging himself along the wind- 
ing path, over protruding roots with a remark- 
able dexterity. 

Chapel was held in the Meeting Room on the 

69 


70 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


first floor of Academy Hall. It was a large, 
square room, taking up the entire east end of 
the building. There was a long platform at one 
side and facing it were rows of yellow settees. 
The walls held many portraits of former Princi- 
pals, faculty members and noted graduates and 
the big windows were set in deep embrasures 
adorned with plaster casts of Greek and Eoman 
immortals ; the students called this array ‘ ‘ The 
White Company.’’ 

The shrill-toned bell gave its expiring clang 
as Jim followed the other three into the room. 
Most of the fellows were already in their seats 
and his first impression was of a sea of faces 
confronting him. They passed row after row of 
settees before Gil, who was leading, turned in. 
Behind them a boy closed the big door and Mr. 
Gordon arose and stepped to the reading desk 
on the platform. Whispers ceased as the big 
Bible was opened. 

My son, forget not my law; but let thine 
heart keep my commandments. 

For length of days, and long life, and peace 
shall they add to thee. 

Let not mercy and truth forsake thee: bind 
them about thy neck ; write them upon the table 


ME. HANKS EENTS A BOOM 71 

Oj thine heart: so shalt thou find favor and 
g(*od understanding in the sight of God and 
man. ’ * 

The Principal’s deep, pleasant voice went on 
to the end of the chapter. Then there was the 
rustling of many pages as the hymn-books were 
opened and the scraping of feet as the boys 
arose. They sang without accompaniment of 
any sort, and to Jim, accustomed to the wheezy 
droning of the worn-out organ in the little 
church at home, the effect was very beautiful. 
Then came a prayer, a simple, earnest appeal to 
the Almighty for help and guidance throughout 
the year just beginning. 

And, 0 Lord, bless the faculty and the stu- 
dents of this school: give them strength and 
patience to do their work, understanding and 
clean hearts to follow Thy laws.” 

Then came the Lord’s Prayer, repeated in 
unison ; a moment of silence ; and then the scrap- 
ing of feet, the creaking of settees and the 
moving of bodies, signifying the end of the 
service; signifying too, perhaps, a longing for 
breakfast. But Mr. Gordon was not yet 
through with them. He said a few words ap- 
propriate to the opening of the school and then 


72 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


announced the presence on the facnlty of a nev 
member. A tall, thin gentleman of middle age 
arose and stepped to the front of the platform*. 
He wore spectacles and held his head forward in 
a near-sighted way. 

Mr. Hanks, young gentlemen,’’ announced 
Mr. Gordon. Mr. Hanks bowed to the right, to 
the left, to the center, hesitated nervously and 
returned precipitately to his chair. iThe stu- 
dents clapped their hands, grinning the while at 
the new instructor’s evident delight in reaching 
his seat again. 

‘‘ Hanks, did he say? ” whispered Poke to 
Jim. “ It isn’t hard to guess what his name 
will be? ” 

Jim looked a question and Poke laughed 
softly. 

‘‘Nancy,” he whispered. “Nancy Hanks; 
see? ” 

Mr. Gordon dismissed them and there was a 
fairly dignified rush for the door. Jim be- 
coming separated from his companions in the 
exodus. He discovered them again outside, 
however. Jeffrey, the subject of much polite 
curiosity, was leaning on his crutches at the foot 
of the steps, while, close by, Gil and Poke made 
part of a group of six or seven fellows who were 


4k 


MR. HANKS RENTS A ROOM 73 

talking and laughing as fast as they knew how. 
Jim joined Jeffrey, hut a moment later Gil saw 
them and called them over. 

Want you to meet some friends of mine, 
fellows,’’ he said. Sargent you met last 
night, I think. This is Cosgrove. Joe, shake 
hands with Hazard and Latham. You too, 
Atherton. Likewise Sommers and Heath. 
Hazard’s a Lower Middler. How about you, 
Latham; what’s your class? ” 

‘‘ The same,” replied Jeffrey. 

You fellows want to come over and see 
our new room,” said Poke. ‘‘It’s a dandy. 
We’ve got hardwood ceilings, hot and cold ele- 
vator service, continuous janitor, telephone in 
every room — ” 

“ Dry up. Poke,” laughed Joe Cosgrove. 
“ Where is it? What did you leave Weston 
for? ” 

“ Didn’t like the society there,” replied Poke 
gravely. “ We ’re at Mrs. Hazard ’s ; this chap ’s 
mother, you know. She ’s taken the Timberlake 
cottage. We’ve got a fine old room, honest. 
Come over soon, will you? ” 

Jim became aware that Duncan Sargent was 
looking at him in a peculiarly speculative way 
as though trying to guess his weight. He was 

5 


74 CROFTON CHUMS 

enlightened the next moment when Sargent 
asked : 

You a football man, Hazard? 

Jim shook his head. Not much of one, I^m 
afraid. I^ve tried the game but I never made a 
success at it. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Well, but you’re coming out, aren’t you? ” 

‘‘ Coming out? ” repeated Jim at a loss. 

Yes, to try for the team. This afternoon at 
four. We want all the new material we can get 
this year and you look as though you might 
make good.” 

‘ ‘ Why, thanks, ’ ’ said Jim. ‘ ‘ I — I’d like to, 
but I won’t have time. You see, we’ve taken 
that house and there’s a good deal to do.” 

‘‘ Oh.” Sargent looked disappointed. I 
wish you would, though. See if you can’t give 
us an hour or so in the afternoon. Hazard. I’m 
going to look for you, anyhow. ’ ’ 

Jim murmured vaguely and politely, very 
much flattered by the football captain’s interest 
in him, and the group broke up. The quartette 
hurried back to Sunnywood Cottage as fast as 
Jetfrey could go, all very anxious for breakfast. 
At nine the school bell rang again and Jim and 
Jeffrey — with many another new boy — at- 



“You a football man, Hazard ? ” Sargent asked, 















ME. HANKS RENTS A ROOM 77 

tended their first class. But there wasn T much 
real work done that opening day, and at three 
o’clock they were free. Jim returned to the 
cottage alone. Most of the other fellows were 
making for the athletic field to either don canvas 
and get into the first day’s practice or to loll 
about the grand-stand or on the warm turf and 
watch and comment. But Jim had plenty of 
work awaiting him at the cottage, for in spite 
of the fact that they had been at Crofton for 
almost a fortnight there still remained numer- 
ous odds and ends to attend to. Hope, busily 
hemming dish-towels on the porch, was eager 
to hear about his experiences, but she found her 
brother a good deal of a disappointment. 

‘‘ Why, nothing much happened,” replied 
Jim, dumping his books in a chair. There 
was history and French. I have the new man, 
Mr. Hanks, in history. He’s awfully funny; 
guess he was rattled a bit. Poke calls him 
‘ Nancy ’; not bad, is it? ” 

I haven’t seen him, Jim.” 

‘‘You don’t have to see him to appreciate 
that ; Nancy Hanks ; don’t you see ? ” 

“ Oh! ” murmured Hope blankly. “ But — 
but why does he call him Nancy? ” 


78 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Don^t you know wlio Nancy Hanks was? 
My, you don^t know much United States his- 
tory, do you? ’’ 

“ I suppose not,’’ replied Hope humbly. 

‘‘Was she a — a nurse or something in the 
Ee volutionary War, Jim? ’’ 

“ Of course she wasn’t,^’ answered Jim dis- 
gustedly. “ You’d better read your history, 
sis. Where’s Lady? ” 

“ In there.” Hope nodded toward the door. 
“ She wants you to go down town for some- 
thing. ’ ’ 

“ All right; I’ve got to go anyway; got to get 
some books and stationery. What are you do- 
ing? ” 

Hope held up the piece of blue-checked linen. 
“ Dish-cloths.” 

‘ ‘ Oh. I suppose we haven ’t rented any more 
rooms? ” 

Hope shook her head. “ No, there hasn’t 
been a soul here — except the ice-man and a 
man who wanted to sell us a set of ‘ The World’s 
Best Literature.” 

“ Well, I don’t see how we’re going to get 
along with just those two rooms rented,” said 
Jim gloomily. “ Endicott said I might adver- 
tise in the school paper, but Benton said it would 


MB. HANKS RENTS A BOOM 79 

be wasting money because the fellows don’t 
change rooms after school begins.” 

‘ ‘ Lady and I were talking about it this after- 
noon,” said Hope, biting a thread off with her 
teeth and then glancing apologetically at her 
brother. 

“What have I told you^ — began Jim 
sternly. But Hope hurried on. “ Lady said 
she thought we could manage to make expenses 
even if we don’t let any more rooms. She says 
living isn’t very expensive here in Crofton. 
And then, Jim, there’s the rent money from the 
house at home. ’ ’ 

“ Thirty-three dollars a month! Wait until 
we have to buy coal to heat this place! It’s go- 
ing to take a lot of fuel, the rooms are so big and 
there are so many windows.” 

“ Well, we may rent another one yet,” re- 
plied Hope cheerfully. “You never can tell, 
Jim, and, anyway, it doesn’t do a bit of g6od to 
worry. ’ ’ 

“ Some one’s got to do a little worrying,” 
answered Jim shortly. “ You and Lady don’t 
seem to care whether we make this thing go or 
not! ” 

“ You’re perfectly horrid ! We do care, Jim, 
but nobody ever did any good to anybody by 


80 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


worrying. Besides, I don’t see th^t there is 
anything we can do hut just — just wait.” 

“ Yes, wait,” said Jim disgustedly. Sit 
here and wait for some one to come along and 
insist on being taken in. A lot of rooms we 
will rent that way ! ’ ’ 

Well, those boys upstairs did that, didn’t 
they? They came along and rented the room, 
Jim ; nobody worried them into it, did they? ” 

Well, you sit here and wait,” growled her 
brother. ‘ ^ I ’m going down town. ’ ’ He picked 
up his books and turned toward the door. “ I ’ll 
see what Lady wants.” He was back in a few 
moments, stuffing a slip ot ,''aper, Mrs. Hazard’s 
list, into his pocket. “ NV'ant to go along, 
Hope? ” 

But Hope shook her head. ‘‘ I must finish 
these, Jim. I’ve got five more to do.” 

Oh, all right.” He pulled his hat down 
over his eyes and started off. Hope looked 
after him, sighed and shook her head. 

“ Jim’s getting growlier and growlier every 
day,” she murmured. ‘‘ I suppose I ought to 
worry too; maybe he’d like it better if I did. 
The trouble is I don’t seem to be able to. 
Every time I get started to be unhappy I think 
of something nice and forget! I’m afraid ” — 


.f 


/ 


MB. HANKS KENTS A BOOM 81 

she fixed her gaze thoughtfully on the little 
round bed of scarlet sage, which was all the 
garden the cottage could boast — I'm afraid 
I'm dreadfully fripish. Maybe I have a — a 
shallow nature." Then she smiled, and, “ Oh, 
dear," she sighed ruefully, ‘‘ I can't worry 
even about that ! 

Just the same," she continued in thought 
as she sent her needle in and out, “ I really 
don't see the use of worrying all the time. It 
seems to me that if things go wrong you just 
ought to keep cheerful, and the wronger they 
go the cheerfuller you ought to keep. You never 
know when something nice is going to happen 
in this wonderful world. Why, I might be sit- 
ting here just like this and somebody might 
come along and say, ‘ Young lady, have you any 
rooms to rent? ’ And I'd say- — 

‘ ‘ I — I beg your pardon. ' ^ 

Hope looked up with a start. At the end 
of the short walk, holding the gate half open, 
stood a tall gentleman in rather ill-fitting pep- 
per-and-salt clothes. On his head, set at a rak- 
ish angle, was a straw hat with a narrow up- 
rolled brim. It was very yellow as to straw 
and very rusty as to ribbon. And it didn't 
suit his lean, thoughtful face the least bit. He 


82 


CROFTON CHUMS 


wore spectacles and from behind the lenses a 
pair of faded blue eyes peered near-sightedly. 
He carried a small book in his right hand, one 
finger inserted between the pages to hold his 
place. Hope wondered if he could be another 
book agent and dropped her work and went to 
the steps. 

“ I regret disturbing you, young lady,’’ said 
the gentleman, ‘‘'but will you kindly tell me 
whether this is — er — ” He stopped per- 
plexedly. Then, “ Dear, dear,” he said half 
to himself, “ what was the name now? ” 

“ This is Mrs. Hazard’s house,” said Hope 
helpfully. 

“ Ah, that was it; Mrs. Hazard! ” he said 
with vast relief. He entered and closed the 
gate carefully behind him, changing the book 
from right hand to left as he did so but taking 
care to keep his place. “I — I am looking for 
accommodations ; lodgings ; a room and — er — ^ 
yes, board with it. You give board here? ” 

“ Yes, indeed,” answered Hope. “ If you 
will take a seat I will tell my mother you are 
here.” 

“ Thank you.” He took a chair. “ My i 
name is Hanks. I am just beginning my duties 
as instructor at the school. The Principal,! 








ME. HANKS EENTS A EOOM 85 


Mister — Mister — well, tlie name doesn^t mat- 
ter — sent me here. I had a room — He 
broke oft abruptly and exclaimed anxiously; 

Your rooms have plenty of light? ’’ 

“Yes, sir, they^re quite light and sunny.’’ 
Hope had reached the door but politeness 
kept her there until the visitor had finished 
talking. 

“ That is excellent. I had a room in one of 
the halls ; I think it was Eoberts — or Eutgers ; 
now was it that? Well, that’s of no conse- 
quence. I was explaining that the room was 
extremely dark, even in midday very little light 
penetrating the — er — the windows. As my 
eyes are unfortunately quite weak I was obliged 
to inform Mister — Mister — ” 

“ Gordon,” prompted Hope gently. 

“ Thank you. Yes, Mr. Gordon. I was 
obliged to inform him that the room would not 
be satisfactory. I then learned that there was 
no other room to be had at the school. Quite 
extraordinary, I would say.” 

He paused and seemed to be pondering the 
fact. Hope waited. After a moment he looked 
up in his funny startled way. 

“I — I beg your pardon! ” he said con- 
fusedly. “I — I fear I am detaining you, ’ ’ 


86 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Oh, no, sir. 1^11 tell my mother that you 
are here.” 

‘ ‘ If you will be so kind. ^ ’ He bowed gravely. 

But Mrs. Hazard was already on the way, 
having heard the voices on the porch. As she 
came out Mr. Hanks arose from his chair and 
bowed. Then, as an afterthought, he removed 
his faded straw hat. 

“ Mama,” said Hope, this is Mr. Nancy 
Hanks — I mean — ” She faltered in confu- 
sion. Mr. Hanks came to the rescue. 

‘‘ I fear you did not get the name quite cor- 
rectly,” he said politely. “ Artemus Hanks is 
the name.” 

He — he is looking for a room,” said Hope 
hurriedly, painfully aware that she was blush- 
ing frantically. 

‘‘ I shall be very glad to show you what we 
have,” said Mrs. Hazard with a smile. ‘‘ WiU 
you come in? ” 

‘‘ Er — thank you.” Mr. Hanks placed his 
book, open and face down, on the chair, put 
his hat carefuUy on top of it and followed. 
‘ ‘ I am not very particular, Mrs. — er — Mrs. 
Hazel; plenty of light is almost my sole re- 
quirement. Unfortunately, my eyesight — ” 

They passed out of hearing, leaving Hope 


MB. HANKS EENTS A EOOM 87 

divided between confusion and laughter. How 
had she ever been so stupid as to call him 
Nancy f The gate slammed and Jim came up 
the walk, laden with bundles and looking very 
warm. 

Oh, Jim,^’ she cried softly. He came and 
I called him Mr. Nancy Hanks! Wasn’t that 
simply awful? ” 

“ Who came? Mr. Hanks? Came here? 
What for? ” 

‘‘ For a room. Just after you went. I was 
sitting here — ” 

Did he take it? ” asked Jim eagerly. 

I don’t know. He’s still up there. Isn’t 
he the funniest, foolishest old dear of a man, 
Jim? He couldn’t remember Lady’s name, nor 
Mr. Gordon’s — ” 

S-sh, they’re coming down,” warned Jim. 
The instructor, followed by Mrs. Hazard, came 
out of the door. 

I hope you will find it quite light enough. 
Professor.” 

‘‘ Not Professor, ma’am, merely instructor. 
I have no doubt the room will be — er — quite 
satisfactory. I shall have my things removed 
directly.” He caught sight of Jim and bowed. 
‘‘ How do you do,” he murmured. ‘‘ Thank 


88 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


you, ma’am/’ He bowed to Mrs. Hazard, man- 
aging to include Hope in the salutation, and 
started down the steps. Hope, stifling a giggle, 
seized his hat and book and ran after him. 

‘‘ Eh? ” he asked bewilderedly. Oh, thank 
you, thank you. My hat — and book; to be 
sure. I believe I would have forgotten them. 
Thank you, thank you. ’ ’ 

He set his hat on his head, where it imme- 
diately shifted to the same rakish angle as 
before, closed the gate carefully behind him, 
opened his book and paced slowly off toward 
school, reading as he went. Hope subsided in 
a chair and gave way to laughter. Jim grinned 
in sympathy and Mrs. Hazard said ‘‘ S-sh! ” 
warningly, but had to smile too. Then : 

“ Well, Jim, another room rented,” she said 
cheerfully. 

‘‘ Fine, Lady! What’s he going to pay? ” 

<< Why — why ” — a queer expression came 
over Mrs. Hazard’s face — ‘‘ why, do you know, 
Jim, I don’t think he — I — we spoke of the 
price at all! ” 


CHAPTER VI 


^ PLATO SOCIETY 

course I’m glad you’ve rented your 
room,” said Poke with hesitancy, ‘‘ but 
— but it isn’t going to be much fun having a 
faculty in the house. ’ ’ 

We had two in hall,” said Gil. 

Yes, but what’s two when there are forty 
fellows to look after? That’s different. Here 
there are only four of us, and, besides, he’s 
right next door. Not, of course,” he continued, 
assuming an air of conscious virtue, that I 
would think of doing anything — er — out of 
the way, but I — one resents the — the espion- 
age.” 

Come again,” requested Gil. 

‘‘I’m sorry,” said Jim. “ I didn’t think 
about that.” 

They were talking it over on the porch be- 
fore supper. Mr. Hanks was already installed 
in the room behind Jeffrey’s, his luggage con- 
sisting of four huge boxes of books, one small 
89 


90 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


trunk and a battered valise, having arrived si- 
multaneously with Gil and Poke. 

‘‘ Piffle 1 said Gil. “ It doesn’t matter. I 
dare say Nancy isn’t the sort to bother us much. 
He’s a queer old duffer.” 

‘‘ Old? ” questioned Jim thoughtfully. ‘‘ I 
don’t believe he’s so terribly old, fellows.” 

“ He looks as though he might be anything 
from twenty-five to forty,” said Gil. ‘‘ I dare 
say he’s really about thirty, eh? ” 

‘‘ I dare say,” responded Poke. Well, it 
doesn’t matter as long as he behaves himself 
and leaves us alone to our innocent amusements. 
I’d hate to have to report him to J. G., though. 
Here eomes Latham. He manages to get along 
pretty well on those sticks of his, doesn’t he? ” 
“ It ’s too bad he ’s that way, ’ ’ said Gil. ‘ ‘ He 
seems a good sort. Wonder why he doesn’t 
wear a thick-soled shoe on that foot. Seems 
to me that would be better than using crutches. ’ ’ 
‘‘ It’s something about the muscles of that 
leg,” explained Jim. ‘‘ Some of them don’t 
work right ; I think he said they were the — the 
extensive muscles,” ended Jim doubtfully. 

Extensor,” corrected Gil. He’s mighty 
cheerful considering everything, I think. 
Hello, Latham ! Where have you been ? ’ ’ 


PLATO SOCIETY 


91 


Seeing the world, replied Jeffrey. 
‘‘ Stumping all over the place. I watched foot- 
ball practice awhile and went down along the 
river afterwards. It’s awfully pretty, isn’t 
it? ” He seated himself in a chair, leaning his 
crutches against his knees. “ I saw you two 
fellows playing,” he added. 

‘‘You saw us working like dogs,” replied 
Poke grimly. “ Football for the first month 
is a whole lot like hard work, Latham. By the 
way, Hazard, what happened to you? Aren’t 
you going to try for the team? Hun asked 
where you were to-day.” 

“ I wouldn’t have time,” answered Jim. 
“ Besides, I can’t play; I’ve tried it.” 

“ Can’t play? How do you know you can’t 
play? You let Johnny get at you for a couple 
of weeks. Then if he says you can’t play I’ll 
believe it. Johnny can make a football player 
out of a lump of wood ! ’ ’ 

“ He did something more wonderful than 
that,” said Gil. “ He made one out of you, 
Poke.” 

“ Your wit is very cheap, Mr. Benton.” 

“ Who is Johnny? ” asked Jim. 

“ Johnny? Johnny is Mr. John Connell, the 
best little trainer in the country. He’s a won- 


92 


CROFTON CHUMS 


der ! Why, half the big schools have been after 
him for years, and last spring he had an otfer 
from Dartmouth! You go and let Johnny look 
you over. J£ he says there’s no hope for you, 
all right.” 

‘‘I’d like to play well enough,” said Jim, 
“ but there’s too much to do about the house.” 
“ Wliy? WTlat sort of things? ” 

“ Oh, chopping kindling, bringing up coal, 
running to the village, cutting grass — ” 

“ Get your coal up in the morning, cut your 
kindling at night, telephone to the village and 
forget the grass,” said Poke glibly. “ It won’t 
do to waste yourself on — on domestic duties, 
Hazard; you look to me just like a chap who 
has the making of a good back in him. Say, 
now, you come out to-morrow afternoon with us 
and we’ll hand you over to Johnny and see what 
happens. Will you? ” 

But Jim shook his head, with a smile. “ I 
know what might happen,” he said. “ There 
might be no coal to cook supper with.” 

“ Get a fireless cooker,” suggested Jeffrey 
with a laugh. 

“ Joking aside. Hazard,” said Gil soberly, 
“ they really need you on the field this fall. 
We’re short of good men. See if you can’t 


PLATO SOCIETY 93 

fix your chores so as to have the afternoons 
for football/’ 

‘‘ Oh, I think they can do without me,” 
laughed Jim. “ If they ever saw me play they 
wouldn’t want me a minute. No, I guess I’ll 
get my exercise right around here.” 

Let me go as his substitute,” said Jeffrey 
with a smile. 

‘‘ At that you’d get around a heap quicker 
than some of the fellows who try for the team,” 
replied Poke. ‘‘ Well, let’s wash up, Gil. It’s 
meeting night, you remember.” 

‘‘ What’s meeting night? ” asked Jim. 

‘‘ Plato Society meets this evening. I’d ask 
you along, hut it’s business meeting to-night. 
Glad to have you some other time, though; 
you, too, Latham, if you’d like.” 

At supper the household had increased to 
seven, for Mr. Hanks occupied the seat of honor 
at Mrs. Hazard’s right. He was introduced 
to the hoys and shook hands with each, smiling 
in his absentminded way. At first his presence 
at table rather dampened the spirits of the 
others, excepting Mrs. Hazard who did her best 
to make conversation with the newcomer. Her 
efforts, however, were not very successful. Mr. 
Hanks replied politely but embarrassedly, 


94 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


showing that he was far more ill at ease than 
the boys. On the whole, supper was a quiet 
meal, and almost as soon as it was over Gil 
and Poke left the house for the meeting. 

At Crofton the faculty keeps a gentle but 
firm hold on the societies by assigning to each 
a Counsellor, one of the younger faculty mem- 
bers. He is responsible to the Principal for the 
conduct of his society, although his office is 
merely an advisory one. Plato’s Counsellor 
was Mr. Brown, better known as “ Brownie,” 
instructor in Greek and one of the more popular 
of the faculty members. Plato, like the other 
three societies, had a home of its own, a small 
cottage near the campus on Academy Eoad in 
charge of an elderly man and his wife who re- 
ceived the rear part of the house rent-free in 
return for their services as housekeeper and 
gardener. There was a little yard in front, 
what Poke called an open-faced porch ” — 
there being no railing on it — and four down- 
stairs rooms, of which two were used by the 
society. On the second floor were four bed- 
rooms, occupied principally by visiting friends. 
The room on the right on the first floor was the 
Meeting Eoom, and it was quite ample in size 


PLATO SOCIETY 95 

to accommodate the thirty hoys who had con- 
gregated there this evening. 

It was already well filled when Gil and Poke 
arrived, although the meeting had not yet been 
called to order. Mr. Brown was the center 
of a group of fellows which the two new ar- 
rivals joined. The instructor had a handshake 
and a word of welcome for each. Then other 
friends demanded recognition, and for the next 
five minutes the hum of talk and laughter filled 
the square, old-fashioned room. The two win- 
dows on the front of the house were wide open, 
for the fiaring gas-jets in the big chandelier 
were making the room uncomfortably warm. 
The side windows were kept closed and cur- 
tained, for it was not beyond the possibilities 
that prankish or curious members of a rival so- 
ciety might eavesdrop; such a thing had oc- 
curred before now, and the heavy shrubbery out- 
side offered excellent concealment for the enemy. 
The room was papered with plain gray car- 
tridge paper above the white-painted paneling, 
and a half-dozen good engravings decorated 
the walls. There was an oak desk between the 
front windows with a few straight-backed chairs 
about it, while some forty folding chairs filled 


96 


CROFTON CHUMS 


the body of the room. There was no carpet 
on the floor and the broad mantel was bare of 
adornment. The apartment, save at commence- 
ment time, was used only for business pur- 
poses. At commencement the chairs were 
moved against the wall and visiting relatives 
and friends took possession and the floor was 
waxed for dancing. 

Presently the president of the Society, Ben 
Atherton, who was also captain of the crew, 
rapped on the desk with a little silver-mounted 
gavel and the fellows took their places. What 
passed at the meeting we, as outsiders, have 
no right to know. I do not believe, however, 
that it was a very important atfair, for it lasted 
less than half an hour. Then the boys trooped 
into the room across the hall or emerged onto 
the porch. Banjos, mandolins and guitars 
were taken from their cases. ‘‘ Punk ’’ Gibbs 
seated himself at the piano — a long-suffering 
instrument constantly in need of tuning — and 
wandered through some chords while the other 
musicians, seated around or leaning about it, 
tuned up. 

The Social Room, as they called it, was well 
and comfortably furnished. There were many 
brown oak chairs and settles upholstered in 


PLATO SOCIETY 


97 


dull red leather, some fairly good rugs on the 
polished floor, a broad couch, filled with cush- 
ions — and, just now, with boys as well — in 
front of the fireplace, a good-sized bookcase 
moderately well filled and many pictures on the 
walls. The word picture here means all sorts 
of things in frames, for there were originals 
of cover-designs for the school weekly. The 
Crow, posters of all sorts, drawings and other 
trophies and mementos, all crowded together 
in interesting confusion. Visitors to Plato So- 
ciety found the walls of the Social Boom highly 
amusing. 

The room was soon noisy with talk and 
laughter, the jangle of the piano and the strum- 
strum of strings. Gil and Poke had found 
places at one of the windows, which opened 
clear to the floor, where, seated on cushions, 
they were in position to see and hear what 
went on both inside and out. Mr. Brown was 
on the porch telling an interested group about 
his summer walking trip through Switzerland. 
On the big couch in front of the empty fire- 
place a very hilarious group were recounting 
their own vacation experiences and, inciden- 
tally, rubbing it into ’’ one youth on whom 
they apparently had a very good joke. He was 


98 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


grinning in an embarrassed way and balf-heart- 
edly retaliating on bis chief tormentor with 
a cushion. Then Gibbs started up Old 
Plato and the banjos and guitars and mando- 
lins, six or seven in all, joined in as best they 
could. Fingers were stiff, however, from lack 
of practice, and the music was pretty wobbly 
at first. But by the time Gibbs had reached 
the refrain the orchestra was doing fairly well, 
and when the pianist started over again, first 
one voice and then another began the words, 
and presently the whole assemblage was sing- 
ing the Society Song. It wasnT an especially 
edifying production, but it went with a swing 
and Platonians had sung it for years. 

Old Plato was a good old soul, 

Old Plato, Old Plato! 

He loved his pipe and he loved his bowl, 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

But more than all he loved a scrap ; 

He’d argufy at the drop of the cap; 

Oh, he was a fine old sporting chap, 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

Hurrah, hurrah for Plato, 

Hurrah for our Patron Saint! 

He was a hot potato 
In the good old days that ain’t! 


PLATO SOCIETY 


99 


A very lucky man was he, 

A lucky man as you’ll agree, 

For “ Greek ain’t never Greek to me/^ 
Said Plato, Old Plato ! 

Old Plato dealt in philosoph-ee ; 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

And he founded this great Societ-ee; 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

He wrote the Protagoras, too, — 

Which wasn’t a thoughtful thing to do — 
And made much trouble for me and you; 
Old Plato! Old Plato! 

Old Plato lived in Ancient Greece; 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

And when he died he died in peace ; 

Old Plato! Old Plato! 

They buried him under a cypress tree. 

And said, as they danced with joy and glee ; 
‘‘ No more of your fool philosoph-ee. 

Old Plato! Old Plato!’' 

Hurrah, hurrah for Plato, 

Hurrah for our Patron Saint ! 

He was a hot potato 
In the good old days that ain’t! 

A very lucky man was he, 

A lucky man as you’ll agree. 

For Greek ain’t never Greek to me," 
Said Plato, Old Plato! 


100 CROFTON CHUMS 

Afterwards they sang ‘‘ Crow, Crow for 
Crofton! and then ‘‘ Follow the River : 

Follow the river up from the sea, 

Through sun and shadowy tracery, 

Over the shallows and past the green pools ; 
You’ll come at last to the School of Schools. 

Then came the old college songs, ‘‘ Mother 
Yale,^’ Fair Harvard,’^ ‘‘ Old Nassau,’’ and 
the football songs, Boola,” ‘‘ Veritas,” and 
many more. And then it was bedtime — Mr. 
Brown was the first to discover the fact — and 
instruments were put away, the lights extin- 
guished and by twos and threes and larger 
groups the Platonians dispersed. The Coun- 
sellor lived, in Browne Hall — most appropri- 
ately — and as Browne was the last dormitory 
on the campus the instructor was accompanied 
homeward by some dozen or more students. Gil 
and Poke were amongst the number, for it was 
quite as near for them to walk to the school 
and then go home through the woods as to fol- 
low the winding road. Besides, there was a full 
moon to-night to light their way. 

They talked about the new students and spec- 
ulated as to whom they would draw into Plato 


PLATO SOCIETY 


101 


when the elections came. This was a subject 
of unfailing interest, although it was too early 
in the school year for the interest to wax in- 
tense. The societies took their members from 
the three upper classes in January and each 
sought to select fellows who had in some way 
distinguished themselves. 

“ There’s one thing,” said Mr. Brown, as 
they passed into the black shadows of Academy 
Hall, ‘ ‘ that we ought to keep in sight, fellows, 
and that is that the men we want for Plato are 
the men who have not only done things but who 
think things. Don’t let’s just make the Society 
a group of athletes and First Honors men and 
commencement officers. Let’s try and pick the 
fellows who are honorable and earnest and fine 
and manly. Eemember that Plato isn’t over 
with when you leave Crofton ; the Society goes 
right on, bringing other fellows together just 
as it has brought us together. Let’s see that 
when we leave it we leave it in shape to do the 
work it was designed to do, let’s see that we 
leave a fine, big lot of chaps to carry on the 
work in our stead. It ’s character we want, fel- 
lows, and not merely athletic honors, nor social 
honors, nor even merely scholastic honors. 


102 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Let^s judge our members to be as men first; 
then consider tbe honors they Ve won. Eemem- 
ber the motto, fellows : ‘ For the Good of the 
School, and so for the Good of Myselfi ' Good 
night, everybody.’’ 




CHAPTEE VII 


JIM MAKES A PKOMISB 


‘‘TTTE’VE got the same lessons, Hazard,’’ 
▼ V said Jeffrey, after the others had taken 
their departure, ^ ‘ so why don ’t you bring your 
books into my room and study? ” 

‘‘I’d like to,” answered Jim, “ and I will as 
soon as I finish my chores.” 

Half an hour later the two were seated on 
opposite sides of the table in Jeff’s room, their 
books spread out before them in a very busi- 
nesslike way. But there wasn’t much studying 
done that evening, although each acknowledged 
the necessity of it. There were too many things 
to talk about. Naturally the foremost topic 
was the school. Jeffrey had to tell Jim what 
he thought about it, and Jim had to give his 
opinion of the fellows they had met; and after 
that they discussed the instructors and the 
course of study and many associated subjects. 
And before the evening was over it was no 
longer Hazard and Latham, but Jim and Jeff. 

103 


104 


CEOFTON CI-IUMS 


And in another day or two proper names had 
quite disappeared from Sunnywood. Every 
one called every one else by his first name ; ex- 
cept that Poke had dubbed Jeff The Senator ” 
and called him that about half the time. For 
awhile Jim’s mother was Mrs. Hazard,” but 
eventually she became ‘‘ Lady ” to every one 
except Mr. Hanks. Mr. Hanks — or ‘ ‘ Nancy, ’ ’ 
as the boys dubbed him — called Mrs. Hazard 
pretty nearly everything except Mrs. Hazard. 
Sometimes it was Hazel, sometimes Hastings, 
sometimes Hathaway; and once, to the amuse- 
ment and bewilderment of the entire table, he 
called her Mrs. Venture.” Hope was Miss 
Hope ” to the boys for awhile, but as friendship 
ripened the Miss was dropped. The boys all 
liked Hope. They couldn’t have done anything 
else, I fancy, for Hope was always happy and 
merry, eager for fun and firmly convinced that 
Sunnywood Cottage held the four finest boys in 
Crofton Academy. 

But I am getting ahead of my story. 

Gil and Poke had in due time received the 
required parental sanction to their change of 
quarters and had settled down very comfortably 
in what Poke called the Eoyal Suite. With 
three of their rooms rented for the school year 


JIM MAKES A PROMISE 


105 


Jim and his mother were much encouraged, for 
even if the fourth room didn’t rent they could, 
they were certain, more than pay expenses. Mr. 
Hanks, in spite of Poke’s forebodings, trou- 
bled no one. If he found the house rather noisy 
at times, he made no complaint. Except at 
meal times they saw very little of him. He was 
usually very silent at the table, accepting what 
was placed before him or handed to him and 
eating it in his funny absentminded way. At 
school, however, Mr. Hanks was having his trou- 
bles. In the first place, he was a new man, and 
there is an unwritten law at Crofton to the ef- 
fect that new instructors must be decently hazed. 
Hazing in Mr. Hanks’ case consisted of tak- 
ing advantage of his inexperience and diffidence 
until at the end of his first week at school his 
Latin and history classes had lost all semblance 
of order and discipline. The instructor’s worst 
trial was Latin 2. In this class was Brandon 
Gary, and Gary knew more ways to make the 
teacher’s life a burden to him than there were 
pages in the -^neid. 

Bull makes me very tired, ’’said Gil one day. 
“It’s all right to have a little fun; and every 
faculty ought to stand a little joshing; but Bull 
is keeping it up too long. First thing we know 


106 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Nancy will get discouraged and quit. If he 
only knew enough to sit on a few of those Smart 
Alicks he wouldn^t have any more trouble.’’ 

‘‘ I think it’s just as mean as can be,” de- 
clared Hope. Mr. Hanks is a perfect dear.” 

Oh, he’s all right,” agreed Poke. Nancy 
isn’t a half bad sort. Only thing is he hasn’t 
enough grit.” 

And,” continued Hope, puzzledly, I don’t 
see why you want to call him Nancy. He 
doesn’t look a bit like a horse.” 

“ A what? ” demanded Jeff in surprise. 

^ ‘ A horse. I asked Lady the other day who 
Nancy Hanks was and she said he — I mean she 
— was a famous racehorse. And I don ’t see — ” 

But the boys were laughing so loudly that the 
rest of Hope’s remark was drowned. She 
viewed them bewilderedly. 

“ Wasn’t she a horse? ” she asked doubt- 
fully. 

Well,” answered Jeff, who had recovered 
first, ‘ ‘ I believe there used to be a horse named 
that. But the original Nancy Hanks was Abra- 
ham Lincoln’s mother. Have you never heard 
of her? ” 

Hope shook her head. ‘‘ I don’t believe so. 
What — what did she do? ” 


JIM MAKES A PEOMISE 


107 . 


Jeff looked at Gil and Gil looked at Jim and 
Jim shook his head. It was Poke who came to 
the rescue. 

“ Mrs. Hanks/’ he observed thoughtfully, 

was a very estimable lady. Besides being 
the mother of the Martyr President she — er 
^ — she invented the idea of winding yarn in 
hanks. Hence the name. ’ ’ 

The others viewed him suspiciously, but were 
afraid to question his statement for fear of con- 
fessing their ignorance. Jeff said ‘‘ Hm ” non- 
committingly and Jim became very busy over 
the lock he was trying to repair. Hope ac- 
cepted the information at face value and thanked 
Poke very nicely. Poke, I think, was on the 
verge of a confession when Mr. Hanks himself 
came into sight beyond the fence. He had an 
armful of books as usual and his head seemed 
to have acquired to-day an added droop. As 
he turned in through the gate his face looked 
pretty tired and discouraged. Jim and Poke 
arose from their places on the steps to let him 
by and it was only then that he saw the group. 
He lifted his funny old straw hat rather sketch- 
ily and murmured, Good evening.” The 
others responded politely, but Hope, with a 
sudden rush of sympathy for the instructor, 


108 


CROFTON CHUMS 


said : Won^t you sit down here and rest, Mr. 

Hanks ? You look very tired, and supper won ’t 
be ready for a long time.’’ 

Mr. Hanks looked surprised and embarrassed, 
hesitated, dropped a book — which Gil rescued 
* — and finally stammered : ‘ ‘ Er — thanks, but 
I have much work to do. It- — >it has been a 
very nice day, hasn’t it? ” 

They all agreed enthusiastically that it had, 
after which Mr. Hanks hemmed and coughed 
once or twice, bowed jerkily and went on in. 
They could hear him walking weariedly up the 
stairs to his room. 

He looks perfectly floppy! ” exclaimed 
Hope, indignantly. “ It is too mean for any- 
thing to treat him so ! ” 

What’s floppy? ” asked Gil, a little ashamed 
of his own small share in the instructor’s un- 
happiness and willing to switch the conversa- 
tion. 

‘ ‘ Why — why, floppy, of course ; tired and — ' 
and miserable and unhappy ! ’ ’ 

Ready to flop,” added Poke knowingly. 

It is an excellent word, even if Mr. Webster 
doesn’t countenance it. What’s the matter, 
Jim? ” 


109 


JIM MAKES A PROMISE 

I lost a screw somewhere. I guess it went 
down a crack when I got up. ’ ’ 

That lock will be a wonder when you get 
through with it/’ laughed Poke. ‘‘ You’ve 
used up three screw-drivers and a perfectly 
good penknife on it so far.” 

The trouble,” responded Jim gravely, hold- 
ing the offending article under his nose and 
squinting knowingly into its intricacies, is 
with the tumblers.” 

Nonsense ! ” said Poke. The trouble’s in 
the carburetor. It needs adjusting. How’s 
school going, Hope? ” 

‘‘Fine! — I just love the teacher in our 
room.” 

“ Hm; wait until you’ve been there another 
week. Teachers all look good at first. They ’re 
very — very deceptive. ’ ’ Poke shook his head 
sadly. “ I’ve had a great deal of experience 
with teachers.” 

“ I guess they’ve had a good deal of experi- 
ence with you,” laughed Hope. Poke grinned. 

“ Well, I don’t deny that I have aided in the 
education of a few. Including our estimable 
Nancy,” he added rashly. 

Hope sobered. “ I shan’t like you, Poke,” 


no CEOFTON CHUMS 

she said gravely, if you’re mean to Mr. 
Hanks.” 

Who? Me? Honest, now, I haven’t done 
a thing, have I, Gil? ” 

‘‘Not much,” answered Gil. “No more 
than I have. We’ve all had a go at him. I 
think, though, it’s about time we let up. I guess 
we’ll have to squelch Bull Gary, Poke.” 

Poke nodded. “ I guess so. Bull lacks a — 
a sense of sufficiency. ’ ’ 

“ What’s that? ” inquired Jeff. 

“ That is a polite way of saying that he 
doesn’t know when he’s had enough. By the 
way, Jim, did we tell you that Gary has taken 
a room at J ones ’s ? He says it ’s fine, but that ’s 
poppycock. Jones’s is the worst hole in the 
village. I guess he’s still peeved with you for 
not renting a room to him.” 

“ I don’t see how I could,” said Jim, laying 
aside the lock with a sigh of relief. “ I wasn’t 
going to put Jeff out; or you fellows either. 
Besides, I don’t like him.” 

“ Well, Bull isn’t terribly popular,” said 
Gil, “ but he’s really not so awfully bad. All 
he needs is some one to beat a little sense into 
him. He ’s a lot better than when he first came. 


JIM MAKES A PEOMISE 111 

I dare say that some day Gary will be a useful 
member of society.’’ 

‘‘ In the sweet by and by,” said Poke skep- 
tically. Aad, say, Gil, what’s the matter 
with Bull’s playing this year? He’s way off 
bis game. Johnny gave him a fierce ragging 
this afternoon. Did you bear him? Told Bull 
that if be didn ’t do better than he ’d been doing 
he’d be wearing a nice warm blanket on the 
side-line. I guess Bull has a swelled bead after 
last year.” 

‘‘ Does be play well? ” asked Jim. 

‘‘ He can play well. He’s one of the best 
guards we’ve bad for years. And in the Haw- 
thorne game last fall — which, as you probably 
know, Mr. Locksmith, is our big game — be put 
up a grand old exhibition. Didn’t be, Gil? ” 

‘‘You bet! And that’s what I say. You 
can’t altogether dislike a chap who can play 
football the way he can — when he wants to.” 

“ Well, he will have to want to pretty soon, 
I guess,” said Poke. “ Johnny’s getting out 
of patience. When are you coming down to the 
field 'with me, Jim, to have a try? ” 

“ About Christmas time, I think.” 

“ You don’t say? Well, let me tell you some- 


112 


CROFTON CHUMS 


thing, son. I^m going to get Dun Sargent after 
you. I^m not going to see a good football 
player wasted in a locksmith.’’ 

Good football player! ” scoffed Jim. I 
never played enough to be good — or even real 
bad, for that matter. I don’t know; enough 
about the rules to — to — 

‘‘ That’s all right,” said Gil. They’ll 
teach the rules to you. Just you come and have 
a try. You’re missing a lot of fun.” 

‘ ‘ And a lot of hard work, too, ’ ’ sighed Poke. 

“ I wish you would play,” said Hope. 
“ Won’t you, Jim? ” 

‘‘ How can I? ” asked Jim a trifle irritably. 
‘‘I’d like to — in a way — I guess, but who’d 
do the work here ? ’ ’ 

“ Listen,” said Poke itnpressively, “ if you’ll 
try for the squad and if you make it we’ll all 
help with your silly chores. Won’t we, fel- 
lows? ” 

‘ ‘ Right-0 ! ’ ’ agreed Gil. 

“ Surely,” said Jeff. 

“ Besides,” Poke continued, “ what do you 
have to do, anyway? Lug up a little coal, split 
some kindling, sift some ashes — ” 

“ Beat some carpets, run some errands, fix 


JIM MAKES A PEOMISE 113 

some locks, study some lessons,^’ added Jim 
with a laugh. 

‘‘ Oh, well, that’s nothing,” said Poke airily. 

I’m a wonderful carpet beater; better than 
one of those vacuum things, Jim. Now that’s 
a fair offer. What do you sayf ” 

Jim laughed. 

‘‘ Will you report to-morrow? ” Poke per- 
sisted. 

‘‘No, but maybe I’ll go down and look on for 
awhile. ’ ’ 

“All right! That’s a promise. You go 
down with Gil and me after school to-morrow. 
Don’t forget. Jeff, you’re a witness; you too, 
Hope. After he ’s looked on awhile he will want 
to play. Jim, you’re a gone coon! ” 


CHAPTER Vni 


POKE USES TACT 

J IM kept his promise; in fact, he was given 
no choice in the matter, for Poke was wait- 
ing for him on the steps of Academy Hall when 
he emerged from his algebra recitation the next 
afternoon. Jeffrey had agreed to accompany 
them to the field, but as he didnT show up they 
started along without him. It was Jim’s first 
visit to the field, although he had often viewed 
it from afar. Their way took them past the 
front of Memorial Hall, a small building of 
Grecian architecture presented to the school by 
graduates in honor of four Croftonians who 
had lost their lives in the war with Spain. 
Crofton was proud of those men and the bronze 
tablet beside the doorway was one of the first 
objects exhibited to visitors. The building held 
the dining-hall and kitchen, and if some humor- 
ists alluded to it as Prunorial Hall no disre- 
spect was intended. 

The river, a few rods away, was alive with 

114 


POKE USES TACT 


115 


craft this afternoon, for this early October day 
was warm and still, with just enough hint of 
autumn in the air to make the blood course 
quickly and put the joy of adventure in the 
heart. Half way between Memorial and the 
gymnasium the two boys turned at the sound 
of a hail from the river. In a canoe sat Jeffrey 
and Gil, the latter snuggled comfortably in the 
bow and the former dexterously dipping the 
paddle in the stern. Gil waved his hand non- 
chalantly. 

“ Where are you going? ’’ cried Poke envi- 
ously. “ Do you know what time it is? 

“ I am the Queen of Sheba, replied Gil, 

and this is my royal barge. We are on the 
way to the gym.^’ 

Well, of all the lazy Its! ’’ exclaimed Poke. 
“ Say, Senator, take me back after practice? ’’ 

Gil howled derisively. “ Get out! IVe en- 
gaged Jeff for the rest of the day. Proceed, 
slave ! ’ ’ 

Jeffrey, smiling broadly, dipped his paddle 
again and the canoe went on along the stream 
to the swimming float. The others walked down 
to meet them. 

“ WeVe had a dandy ride,’’ said Gil as he 
stretched the kinks out of his legs. ‘‘Jeff took 


116 CEOFTON CHUMS 

me all the way up to Birch Island and back. 
He’s a fine little canoedler.” Jeff, once more 
with his crutches under his arms, fell in beside 
Jim. 

I think I’ll get a canoe of my own,” he said. 

They say there’s a fellow up the river a cou- 
ple of miles who makes dandy ones. And I’m 
sort of daffy about being on the water.” 

‘‘Is it hard to learn to paddle one of those 
things! ” Jim asked. “ I tried it once and the 
silly thing just went around in a circle and made 
me dizzy.” 

“It’s the easiest thing there is,” laughed 
Jeffrey. “You come out with me some day 
and I’ll show you the trick in a minute.” 

Gil and Poke disappeared in the gym to don 
their football clothes and the others sauntered 
slowly toward the field. Already the big ex- 
panse of yellowing turf was scattered with 
players. Beyond the gridiron with its new 
white lines a baseball game had begun. Nearer 
at hand the tennis courts were all occupied. 
And on the grand-stand and along the sides of 
the field on the warm grass fellows less inclined 
to bodily exertion sat or sprawled in groups 
and waited to be entertained. Half a dozen 


POKE USES TACT 


117 


pigskins were arching back and forth across the 
gridiron or bounding erratically into the spec- 
tators. Jim and Jeff found a place near the 
twenty-five-yard line and settled themselves, 
J eff laying his crutches down with a sigh of re- 
lief. 

This is fine,’’ he murmured as he lay back 
with his hands beneath his head and blinked at 
the sunlight. ‘‘ I read somewhere once, Jim, 
that every one has the — the characteristics of 
some animal. I guess I’m like a cat, I’m so 
fond of sunlight and warmth. I could almost 
purr this minute. ’ ’ 

Go ahead,” Jim laughed. I don’t mind 
as long as you don’t scratch. There comes 
What’s-his-name, the coach.” 

“ Connell,” murmured Jeffrey. They say 
he’s a dandy.” 

“ He isn’t very big,” replied Jim doubtfully. 

He doesn’t look much taller than I. Guess 
he’s the sort to make you stand around, 
though; don’t believe he’d take much nonsense. 
There’s Gil and Duncan Sargent. And there’s 
that chap Gary, the fellow who wanted your 
room. He’s pretty hefty, isn’t he? ” 

“ Yes.” Jeffrey rolled over and observed 


118 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


the scene, supported on one elbow. I heard 
a fellow say Gary had a grouch against Connell 
and isn ’t half playing. ’ ’ 

Johnny shouted to the candidates and 
they came from all quarters of the field and 
flocked about him. There seemed to be some 
fifty or sixty of them altogether. 

A lot of show I’d have,” said Jim, in that 
bunch. Some of those chaps must be nineteen 
years old.” 

I dare say,” Jeffrey replied. But that 
doesn’t necessarily mean much. You are going 
to try, aren’t you? ” 

Jim shrugged his shoulders. I’d sort of 
like to,” he acknowledged, but I’d just make 
a show of myself, I guess. ’ ’ 

The coach had finished his instructions and 
now the candidates were forming in groups 
about the field. For the beginners football was 
still drudgery; passing, falling on the ball, 
starting and tackling. But the veterans were 
learning signals and getting ready for the first 
game now only three days distant. The first 
and second squads were soon scampering up and 
down the field in short rushes under the direc- 
tions of shrill-voiced quarter-backs. In Squad 
A a substitute had Duncan Sargent’s place at 


POKE USES TACT 


119 


left guard and the captain, draped in a faded 
red blanket that trailed behind him and tried 
to trip him up in moments of excitement, fol- 
lowed the play. Now and then Jim could 
hear him calling a halt and laying down the 
law. 

^ ‘ Hold on ! Let ’s try that again. And don ’t 
go to sleep. Smith, this time. They’d have got 
you about three yards behind your line then. 
Take your time from quarter. This is a de- 
layed pass, but not a misplaced one. And now 
try again. Same signals, Arnold.” 

On this first squad Gil was at left end. Poke 
at right half-back and Gary at right guard. 
To Jim’s surprise the fellows were not very 
heavy in weight, while as to age the squad would 
have averaged about seventeen. The quarter, 
Harry Arnold, was a mere youngster, and with 
the exception of Captain Sargent himself there 
was no member over eighteen. LaGrange, a 
big good-natured youth who played center, was 
hut sixteen, in spite 9 ^ his size. 

Jim and Jeffrey looked on with interest. 
Jeffrey, who had made other trips to the field, 
knew many of the more prominent players by 
name and pointed them out to his companion. 
At the end of half an hour the signal work 


120 


CROFTON CHUMS 


ceased, the linemen were taken to the upper end 
of the field for special instruction and the backs 
and ends were put to work getting down under 
kicks. As it happened Poke took up his posi- 
tion at a little distance from Jim and Jeffrey, 
and, turning to run back for a long catch, caught 
sight of them. 

‘ ‘ Hello ! ’ ’ he shouted. ‘ ‘ Seen Sargent, 
Jim? 

Jim shook his head. Poke curled the ball 
against his arm and hurled it back across the 
field. 

“ Well, he^s looking for you. I told him you 
wanted to come out for the team. Told him you 
were a wonderful footballist, Jim, and he’s hot 
on your trail. ’ ’ 

You told him that? ” cried Jim in dismay. 
< < Why, you — you — ” 

Say it,” said Poke, keeping a watchful eye 
across the field at where a substitute center was 
poising the ball between his legs. Jim grinned 
ruefully and threw a pebble at him. 

But you didn’t tell him any such yarn as 
that, did you. Poke? ” he asked. 

‘ ^ I told him you were thinking of coming out, 
Jim, and that you’d played the game some. 
Said you looked good to me. When he asks you 


POKE USES TACT 121 

just keep your mouth shut tight and it will be 
all right. ’ ’ 

With that Poke sprinted for the arching pig- 
skin, caught it deftly without slackening his 
speed and dodged the opposing end. 

“ Do you suppose he did tell Sargent all 
that? Jim said. 

“ I dare say,’’ replied Jeffrey with a smile. 

Poke is likely to say most anything he thinks 
of. I guess you’ll soon know, though, for 
there’s Sargent now.” 

The captain, having discarded his blanket, 
was striding across the field toward Poke. 
They exchanged a few words and Poke nodded 
his head toward Jim and Jeffrey. In a moment 
Duncan Sargent had reached them. 

“ How are you. Hazard? ” he began. ‘‘ En- 
dicott tells me you’ve decided to help us out, 
and I ’m mighty glad to hear it. W e really want 
fellows who know something about the game 
and are willing to buckle down to it. Wish you 
might have come out to-day. To-morrow sure, 
though, eh? ” 

Jim, who had climbed to his feet, looked some- 
what embarrassed. 

‘‘Why — er — I only told Endicott that I 
might like to try — ” 


122 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Of course! That’s the spirit! You’ve 
played a good hit, haven’t you? ” 

“ No, not much,” answered Jim modestly. 
I really don’t — ” 

‘‘ In the line, I suppose? ” 

‘‘ Well, yes, when I played, but I never — ” 

‘‘ Fine ! We need linemen. Hazard. You re- 
port to me to-morrow and I’ll put you to work. 
There’s going to he a cut in a day or two and 
then we’ll have some of these dubs out of the 
way. Don’t forget! Three-thirty! ” 

And away hurried Sargent, leaving Jim 
flushed and uncomfortable and Jeffrey visibly 
amused. 

Now what shall I do? ” asked Jim ruefully. 
“ He evidently thinks I’m a regular Hogan of 
a lineman. I wonder what Poke did tell him! 
Why, hang it, Jeff, I don’t even know this year’s 
rules ! ’ ’ 

‘‘ Oh, they aren’t much different from last 
year,” replied Jeffrey consolingly. 

“ Yes, they are; they’re different every sea- 
son. Every time any one thinks of a new wrin- 
kle he writes to the Eules Committee about it 
and they stick it in. Well, you won’t see me 
around here to-morrow! It’s me for the tall 
timber! ” 


POKE USES TACT 123 

Oh, shucks, Jim, see it through. You can 
tell Sargent you arenT a star — 

‘‘ Tell him ! Why, didnT I try to tell him? ’’ 
exclaimed Jim irritably. He wouldn’t let me 
get a word in edgewise. ’ ’ 

‘‘ He was afraid you would try to beg otf,” 
laughed Jeffrey. 

“ He didn’t give me a chance,” replied Jim 
ruefully. Guess I’ll just have to hike out to 
the woods or he will get me sure. ’ ’ 

I don’t think I’d do that. See it through. 
You’ll like it after you get started. Wliy, the 
first game ’s on Saturday. Maybe Sargent will 
put you in in his place, Jim ! ’ ’ 

Dry up. They’re going to scrimmage. 
Let’s ^et nearer the middle of the field.” 

The scrimmage wasn’t very encouraging that 
day. There was a good deal more fumbling 
than there should have been and it was plain 
to' be seen that neither first nor second team had 
thoroughly learned its signals. WTien it was 
over Jim and Jeff cut across the field and took 
the road back to Sunnywood. 

I wonder,” mused Jim as they passed the 
little white house where Plato Society held its 
meetings, if being on the football team would 
help a fellow to make a society.” 


124 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ Well/’ answered Jeffrey, I suppose a fel- 
low who is well known and has done something 
for the school like playing football or baseball 
or rowing in the boat naturally stands a better 
show than some chap who is unknown.” 

He shot a glance at Jim’s thoughtful face and 
smiled to himself. A hundred yards further 
on Jim spoke again. 

I wonder,” he said, if Gil or Poke has a 
book of rules.” 

When Poke came back he sought Jim and 
found him in the cellar swinging the ax. 

‘‘ Hello,” he said, what are you'doing? ” 

Kindlings,” replied Jim as he dodged a 
piece of wood. Then he buried the ax in the 
block and faced Poke. 

“ Look here,” he demanded, what did you 
tell Duncan Sargent about me? ” 

Poke laughed. Why? ” he asked. 

Because he evidently thinks I’m a football 
player and he wouldn’t give me a chance to say 
anything at all ; just rattled on and on and fixed 
it all up that I’m to report for practice to-mor- 
row.” 

“ Did he? Well, I told you you’d be a gone 
coon if you once got out on the field.” 



w-^ 


“ Look here,” he demanded, “ what did you tell Duncan 

Sargent about me?” 








POKE USES TACT 127 

What did you tell him? Jim insisted 
sternly^ 

Oh, just that you’d played the game and 
that I had an idea you’d he a big addition to 
the team. It wasn’t what I really said so much 
as the — the impression I managed to convey, 
Jim. One thing I rather dwelt on,” he con- 
tinued with a chuckle, ^ ‘ was that you were ter- 
ribly modest and that you were almost certain 
to refuse to come out for the team if he gave 
you a chance.” 

I see. Well” — Jim shrugged his shoul- 
ders — ‘‘he will be considerably surprised to- 
morrow.” 

“ Pshaw, that will be all right. You’ll pick 
it up quick enough, and before the season’s over 
you’ll be thanking me on your knees for my — 
er — diplomacy. ’ ’ 

^ “ Your fibs, you mean! Look here. Poke, I 
don’t even know what the rules are this year.” 

“No more does any one — except Johnny; 
and I sometimes think he’s just bluffing. You 
come up to the room after supper and Gil and 
I will tell you all you need to know. Between 
us I dare say we’ve got a fair inkling of the 
rules.” 

8 


128 


OEOFTON CHUMS 


“ All right,’’ Jim agreed. But I’m going 
to see Sargent to-morrow before practice and 
tell him the facts. I’m not going to start out 
under false colors.” 

Hm.” Poke considered that a moment. 
‘ ‘ Oh, all right. The main thing is to come out. 
Got any togs? ” 

Yes, some old ones. I guess they’ll do. 
Guess they ’ll have to. I can ’t atf ord to buy new 
ones.” 

‘ ‘ Good stuff ! Get ’em out and we ’ll look ’em 
over. Here, I’ll take that up for you. You 
bring the coal. You know we all agreed to help 
out with the chores if you went in for the team.” 


CHAPTER IX 


OUT FOR THE TEAM 

H ope was delighted. 

“ I just know you’re going to be a real 
football hero, Jim,” she declared earnestly. 

And I shall be too proud of you for words! 
And to-morrow I shall go and see you play. ’ ’ 
You’ll do nothing of the sort,” responded 
Jim shortly. If I’ve got to make a fool of 
myself I don’t intend to have the whole family 
watching me.” 

Hope’s face fell. ‘‘ But I may see you some 
day, mayn’t I? And I shall bring some of the 
girls from school with me. There’s one, Grace 
Andrews, whose brother plays on the High 
School team and she’s too sticky about it for 
anything. We play the High School Saturday, 
don ’t we ? ” 

‘‘Yes.” ^ 

“ Oh, I do hope they’ll let you play then, Jim ! 
I’d love to have Grace Andrews see you.” 

“ Well, she won’t,” replied Jim grimly. 
129 


130 


•CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ 1^11 be on the awkward squad for weeks, I sup- 
pose, and iUs a fair bet I never leave it. Be- 
sides, it seems to me your sympathy ought to 
be with your own school, sis.^’ 

Hope considered that a moment. Then, 
‘‘ Well,’’ she sighed, ‘‘ it’s a very difficult posi- 
tion I’m in. Of course I’m very fond of High 
School, Jim, but — but I think I’d rather have 
Crofton win; especially if you play. Wouldn’t 
that be just perfectly Jimmy? ” 

^ ‘ Fine ! And maybe Duncan Sargent will re- 
tire and make me captain in his place,” added 
Jim ironically as he started upstairs to get 
ready for supper. ‘‘ But, somehow, I don’t 
look for him to do it! ” 

After supper study was delayed in Sunny- 
wood while Gil and Poke went over the football 
rules with Jim and did their best to elucidate 
them. Jeffrey was on hand too, and if it had 
not been for him I think Jim would have known 
less after the lesson than before, for Gil and 
Poke proved quite at variance as to the inter- 
pretation of half the rules and Jim was getting 
more and more confused when Jeffrey came to 
the rescue. Gil and Poke were hotly contra- 
dicting each other as to what invalidated a for- 
ward pass. 


OUT FOE THE TEAM 131 

‘‘1^11 leave it to Jeff if I^m not right/’ de- 
clared Poke. 

Whereupon Jeffrey very quietly and under- 
standingly explained Rule XIX in all its phases, 
while the others listened in respectful and ad- 
miring silence. 

‘‘ I say,” exclaimed Poke when Jeffrey had 
finished, you certainly know the rules. Sena- 
tor. I ’ll bet you you wrote them yourself ! ’ ’ 

Jeffrey smilingly denied this but acknowl- 
edged that he always studied them very care- 
fully each year, adding, ‘‘You see, I like to 
watch football mighty well, even if I can’t play 
it, and unless you know the rules of the game 
well enough to know just what’s being done all 
the time, and why, you don’t thoroughly enjoy 
it.” 

‘‘ Well,” said Gil, I guess you know; them 
better than most of the fellows who play. I be- 
lieve I’ll get a rule book and study up a little 
myself.” 

“You wouldn’t understand them,” said Poke. 
“ It takes a chap with a whole lot of brains to 
make head or tails of that stuff. Why, bless 
you, fellows, I was looking through a book of 
rules before I left home. Give you my word I 
tried the hardest I knew how to make out what 


132 


CROFTON CHUMS 


it was all about, and could I? I could — not I 
So I pitched the silly book in the waste-basket. 
And I wouldn ’t be at all surprised to hear that 
the ashman found it and has gone crazy.” 

‘‘Well, thaUs about all you need to know at 
first, Jim,” said Gil. “ Youdl pick it up quick 
enough. The main thing is to know how to hold 
a ball so it won T bite you, to kick a little, throw; 
a little—” 

“ WonT need to know that if he plays in the 
line,” said Poke. “ If he can block and break 
through and help the runner — ” 

“ Well, I guess I Ve had enough for to-night,” 
said Jim. “ I guess I’d better pay a little at- 
tention to my lessons. Looked at your Latin 
yet, Jeff? ” 

“ Yes, I’ve been over it once; it looks pretty 
easy.” 

“ For you perhaps,” replied Jim. “ It won’t 
be for me, though.” 

“ Speaking of Latin,” said Gil, “ something’s 
due to happen to Nancy Hanks pretty soon if 
he doesn’t brace up. They say J. G. is getting 
very much peeved at him. There was a peach 
of a rough house in history this morning, 
wasn’t there. Poke? ” 

‘ ‘ Lovely ! But I’m sorry for Nancy, just the 


OUT FOR THE TEAM 


133 


same. Bull Gary makes me tired. He’s got 
half a dozen of the fellows trained now so that 
every time he starts something they all drop 
into line and poor Nancy’s life is a positive bur- 
den to him. ’ ’ 

‘‘ He shows it, too,” observed Jeffrey.- 
‘‘He’s getting to look as worried and nervous 
as — as a wet hen.” 

“ That’s so,” said Jim. “ We’ve sort of let 
up on him in our classes. The fun wore off 
after awhile.” 

“ Because you haven’t any one in your bunch 
with the inventive genius of Mr. Gary,” said 
Poke. ‘ ‘ Bull lies awake nights, I guess, think- 
ing up new mischief. Somebody will just have 
to sit on him, Gil, and sit hard.” 

“ Yes, maybe. Still, perhaps, after all, Crof- 
ton isn’t just the place for Nancy. And if it 
isn’t he might as well make the discovery now 
as later. I guess he knows an awful lot, but I 
don’t believe he can teach it. And as for dis- 
cipline, why, he doesn’t know the meaning of 
the word.” 

“ Oh, he knows what it means all right,” cor- 
rected Poke, “ but he doesn’t know how to go 
to work to enforce it. I’ll bet you he never 
taught before in his life. ’ ’ 


134 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Then what^s he been doing all these 
years? asked Jim. 

‘‘ I think/ ^ replied Jeffrey, that he writes 

‘‘ Writes? Writes what? asked Poke. 

‘‘ Books. The other day I passed his room 
when he happened to have left the door open — » 
which doesn’t very often happen, as you know 
c — and I saw a whole pile of paper on his desk 
and he was writing away like sixty with those 
tortoise-shell spectacles of his on.” 

‘‘ Pshaw I Correcting papers, likely,” said 
Poke. 

‘‘ They weren’t papers; they were sheets all 
written on just alike. I could see that easily.” 

‘ ‘ Wonder what sort of books he writes, ’ ’ mur- 
mured Jim. 

“ Oh, about Latin and history, probably,” 
said Poke. ‘‘ Maybe they’re text-books. He 
doesn’t look quite such a criminal as that, 
either.” 

“ Well, whatever he writes,” remarked Gil, 

it’s a safe bet he won’t be doing it here much 
longer.” 

Couldn’t we do something? ” asked Jeffrey. 
‘‘You see, after all, even if he is a member of 
the faculty, he — he’s one of us, you know, a 
Sunnywooder.” 


OUT FOR THE TEAM 


135 


‘‘ That^s so/^ agreed Poke, and we ought to 
stick together. I guess we’ll just have to read 
the riot act to Bull, Gil.” 

Gil half-heartedly replied that he guessed 
something like that would have to be done and 
the conclave broke up, Jeffrey and Jim retiring 
across the hall to the former’s room in which 
Jim had formed the custom of studying. 

The next afternoon he accompanied Gil and 
Poke to the gymnasium, rented a locker and 
struggled into his football togs which had grown 
strangely tight in the last year. Then, in the 
wake of half a hundred other fellows, they trot- 
ted down to the field and Jim sought Duncan 
Sargent. He found him conferring with J ohnny 
and waited a few steps away until they finished 
talking. As it happened captain and coach were 
not telling secrets and so made no effort to talk 
quietly, and before Jim realized it he heard Sar- 
gent say: 

“ By the way, Johnny, I’ve got a new line- 
man coming out this afternoon; fellow named 
Hazard; big and rangy and looks good. Poke 
Endicott knows him and says he’s an all right 
player. I’ll hand him over to you and you give 
him a try with the second squad in scrimmage, 
will you ? Let me know how he shapes up. ’ ’ 


136 CROFTON CHUMS 

“ That^s good,’’ replied Johnny with enthu- 
siasm. ‘‘ We surely need better line material 
than we ’ve got. There isn ’t a promising substi- 
tute tackle in sight. Send him along to me and 
I’ll see what he can do.” 

They strolled slowly away, still talking, leav- 
ing Jim a prey to varied emotions. He wanted 
to punch Poke for getting him into such a scrape. 
How could he go to Sargent now and say that it 
was all a mistake, that he really knew very little 
about the game and had only played as a sort 
of third or fourth substitute on his grammar 
school eleven? Why, it couldn’t be done! 
Rather than do that he would sneak back to the 
gymnasium, get his togs oft and go home. He 
thought hard for a minute, while he followed the 
captain and trainer across the field. After all, 
he reflected presently, perhaps he could play 
fairly well if he had a chance. Why not accept 
the reputation that had been imposed upon him 
without his connivance and carry things oft as 
best he could ? After all, it wasn ’t his fault, and 
if he disappointed them, why, he could get out. 
The situation required nerve and Jim had plenty 
of it when necessary. He smiled and made up 
his mind. They thought him an experienced 
player. Well, he would do his best to keep up 


OUT FOR THE TEAM 


137 


the delusion. Let them find out for themselves 
that he was little more than a tyro, a one-hun- 
dred-and-thirty-pound bluff in a suit that threat- 
ened to rip at the seams every time he stretched 
his muscles ! 

He quickened his gait and overtook Duncan 
Sargent. 

What shall I do, Captain? he asked 
quietly. 

'‘Eh? Hello, Hazard.’’ Sargent was so 
pleased that he shook hands and Jim’s con- 
science smote him for an instant. Sargent was 
such a dandy chap that it seemed a shame to 
impose on him. ' ' Hi, Johnny ! Here a minute, 
please. ’ ’ And as the trainer came swinging up, 
Sargent continued: " This is Hazard. You 
know I spoke to you about him. Take him in 
hand, will you, Johnny? ” 

Johnny said he was glad to meet Mr. Hazard 
and shook hands with a grip that made Jim 
wince. 

" Play in the line, don’t you? ” he asked. 
" That’s good; we need linemen. This is your 
first practice ? ’ ’ 

Jim agreed that it was. 

' ' Then I guess we ’ll go easy with you. Sup- 
pose you go over there and report to Gary; 


138 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


tell him I sent you. Pass the ball awhile and 
warm up. ’ ’ He took out a little tattered memo- 
randum book and entered Jim, name, age and 
address. ‘‘ Come to me after practice. Hazard, 
and 1^11 put you on the scales. About a hun- 
dred and thirty, aren’t you? ” 

I haven’t weighed very recently,” replied 
Jim, ‘‘ but I guess that’s pretty near it.” 

All right. By the way, ever play tackle? ” 
Yes, for awhile; and guard. And I was at 
full-back once or twice.” 

You don’t look very quick on your feet,” 
commented Johnny, ^ ^ but we ’ll get you gingered 
up after awhile. Don’t be afraid of sweating a 
little ; it will do you good. ’ ’ 

Jim obediently made his way down the field 
to the squad indicated, and Johnny and Sargent 
looked after him critically. 

‘‘ He’s well set-up,” mused Johnny, but 
somehow he doesn’t handle himself like a player. 
Looks slow to me, eh? ” 

‘‘ Y-yes,” agreed Sargent, but I have Endi- 
cott’s word for it that he’s a good man, and you 
know Endicott’s a good judge, Johnny.” 

Jim didn’t exactly relish putting himself 
under Brandon Gary’s charge, but there was 
evidently no help for it. Gary, looking very 


OUT FOB THE TEAM 


139 


well in liis football togs, was looking after, with 
a noticeable lack of enthusiasm, some twelve or 
fourteen members of the third squad who stood 
about in a circle and passed the ball to each 
other. Jim observed that they threw the ball 
by clasping it with the fingers at one end and 
sending it away with a round-arm sweep that 
caused the pigskin to revolve on its shorter axis ; 
also that in catching it the fellows received it 
between elbow and thigh, pulling up the right 
leg slightly to cradle it. When they missed the 
catch they fell on the ball, snuggling it under 
them. He made his way to Gary just as that 
youth, with an impatient glance toward Sargent, 
was receiving the ball. 

The captain told me to report to you,’’ said 

Jim. 

Gary turned and viewed him carelessly. ‘ ^ All 
right, find a place somewhere,” he answered. 
Then recognition dawned and he accorded Jim 
a scowl. Here, stand over there,” he said 
curtly. And then, before Jim was well in place, 
Gary launched the ball at him swiftly. As the 
pigskin had only some eight feet to travel before 
it reached Jim, the latter was quite unready for 
it, and although he made a desperate attempt 
to capture it the ball struck his chest and 


140 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


bounded crazily away across the grass. Jim 
trotted after it and was in the act of picking it 
up when Gary bellowed : 

‘ ‘ Fall on it, you idiot ! None of that here ! ’ ’ 

Jim fell. Unfortunately, confusion made him 
miss the ball entirely and he had to scramble on 
elbows and knees for a full yard before he could 
seize the exasperating oval and snuggle it under 
him. From behind him came audible, if good- 
natured, laughter from the others. Gary alone 
seemed unamused. 

Ever see a football before? ’’ he asked as 
Jim went back to his place. Jim made no reply 
and the pigskin.went on around the circle, thump 
thump, with an occasional break in the monot- 
ony of the proceedings when some one missed 
and had to launch himself to the turf. As the 
ball went around, Jim looked over his com- 
panions. He saw none that he recognized. All 
were apparently of Jim’s age or younger, and 
it was plain to be seen that they constituted 
the awkward squad. Whenever the ball reached 
Gary he tried his best to make Jim fumble it 
again, now throwing it high and now low, buf 
always as hard as he could. But Jim, watching 
the others closely, emulated their way of catch- 
ing and only once dropped the ball. Then he 


Ever see a football before ? ” he asked. 














OUT FOR THE TEAM 


143 


fell on it from where he stood and captured it 
very nicely. But Gary declined to let the inci- 
dent pass without a reprimand. 

Keep your eyes open, you fellow! You’re 
not running a boarding-house now ; this is foot- 
ball! ” 

The allusion to the boarding-house caused 
other members of the squad to observe Jim 
curiously, but Jim kept his temper and his 
tongue. A minute afterwards the coach called 
them and the squad broke up. Jim walked over 
to the bench and picked up a blanket, but before 
he had wrapped it around his shoulders Johnny 
was after them. 

Over to the dummy now ! And hurry up ! ” 

About thirty panting youths gathered at the 
side of the newly spaded pit and one by one 
launched themselves at the swinging canvas 
dummy. Johnny himself operated the pully 
that sent the headless imitation of a man swing- 
ing across the soft loam. 

‘ ^ Pretty good, but tackle lower next time. ’ ’ 

Perfectly rotten, Curtis. Try it again and 
get off your feet. That’s better but not good 
enough.” 

“ All right! Next man! Wrong side. Get 
in front of the runner always. ’ ^ 


144 


CROFTON CHUMS 


‘‘ Too low, Page! Aim higher.^’ 

‘‘ Pretty fair, Hazard, but put some jump into 
it. Remember you^re not patting him on tbe 
back; you^re trying to stop him — and stop bim 
short. Try again now. ’ ’ 

Jim had never hurled himself at a ta(^jling 
dummy before but he had tackled players in a 
game and he strove to create the illusion that 
the canvas-covered figure was real. The pully 
creaked, the dummy slid across the pit, wobbling 
and turning, and Jim ran and dived with out- 
stretched arms. Thump! Rattle! His nose 
was buried in the cold loam and his arms were 
tightly wrapped about the stutfed canvas legs. 
He scrambled to his feet and cast an inquiring 
look at the coach. Johnny nodded noncommit- 
tally and Jim took up his place at the end of 
the line again. And so it went on for twenty 
minutes longer. Jim^s next try brought slight 
commendation with the criticism and the third 
attempt went otf handsomely. 

‘‘ That’s the stutf. Hazard! Just as though 
you meant it. Some of you fellows go at that 
dummy as though you were afraid you’d hurt 
it. That’ll do for to-day. Back to the bench! 
On the trot ! ’ ’ 

By now Jim was tuckered and aching, with 


OUT FOR THE TEAM 


145 


one side of his face smeared with dirt and his 
right elbow sticking forth from the faded blue 
jersey he wore. But football was in his blood 
now and so he was highly disappointed when 
Johnny called to him and ordered him once 
around the field at a jog and back to the gym. 

But I’m not tired, sir,’’ he ventured. 
Johnny scowled. 

I didn’t ask you if you were tired,” he said 
shortly. ‘‘ Do as I tell you. Get on the scales 
after your shower and let me know your weight. 
Maybe you’d better come back here after you’re 
dressed and watch scrimmage. I may want to 
use you to-morrow. ’ ’ 

So Jim jogged around the field, his eyes on 
the others as he went, and wished heartily that 
he had come out for the team at the beginning 
of the term. Had he done that, he reflected, 
he might now be one of the fortunate number 
running through signals. Well, he reflected, 
he hadn’t done so badly for the first time. He 
doubted if Johnny even suspected what a green 
candidate he was. And he meant to learn. 
They thought he could play good football and 
he meant to prove them right ! 

Half way down the backstretch of the run- 
ning track he passed near Poke who was going 

9 


146 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


through signals with the first squad. Poke 
waved to him and grinned. 

How’d you get on? he called. 

‘‘ Pretty fair/’ replied Jim. And I hope 
you choke ! ’ ’ 

But he really didn’t. He had quite forgiven 
Poke by now, for without Poke’s conspiracy 
he would probably not he where he was. Com- 
pleting the circuit of the field, he trotted off 
to the gymnasium, had his shower, found that 
he tipped the scales at one hundred and thirty- 
one and a half, dressed and hurried hack to 
the gridiron just in time to see Sargent kick off 
the ball for the scrimmage with the second 
team. Afterwards he waited for Gil and Poke 
and walked home with them through the early 
dusk, rather lame and tired hut supremely 
happy. 

At the supper table football was the one sub- 
ject and Mrs. Hazard alone failed to show en- 
thusiasm over Jim’s conversion. She was 
very glad, she said, that they were going to 
let Jim play if he really wanted to, but she did 
wish that football wasn’t quite so dangerous. 
Whereupon Poke deluged her with a mass 
of impromptu statistics proving beyond the 
shadow of a doubt that, with the possible ex- 


OUT FOE THE TEAM 


147 


ception of croquet, football was the safest 
amusement extant. Mrs. Hazard smiled and 
sighed, but remained unconvinced. Mr. Hanks 
did not appear at the beginning of the meal, 
nor had he come down when the cake and pre- 
serves began to circulate, and Hope was de- 
spatched to his room to summon him. She 
returned alone to report that the instructor 
wished no supper. 

‘‘ No supper! exclaimed Mrs. Hazard. 

But he must have something, Hope. You 
shall take some toast and tea up to him. I’ll 
set a tray when we’ve finished. I do wish he 
would eat more, Jim; I’m getting real worried 
about him.” 

After supper the boys returned to the porch, 
still talking football, while Mrs. Hazard fixed 
up a tray for Mr. Hanks and Hope bore it up- 
stairs. Poke was narrating humorously the 
tale of what he called Jim’s deception against 
Duncan Sargent and Johnny when Hope ap- 
peared at the hall door, breathless and dis- 
mayed. 

‘‘Oh, boys!” she cried. “What do you 
think has happened? ” 

Four pairs of startled eyes questioned her. 

‘ ‘ Mr. Hanks is going to leave ! ’ ’ 


CHAPTEE X 


MR. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 

T here was a moment of silence, broken at 
length, by Gil. 

Going to leave! ’’ he exclaimed. You^re 
not fooling, Hope? 

‘‘ No. I took his tray up and he was writing 
at his desk. I told him he just must eat some 
supper and he said we were very kind and he 
would drink some tea. And then — then he was 
afraid he’d been a great deal of trouble to us 
and that he wouldn’t be that much longer as he 
was going to leave the school. And I said, ‘ Oh, 
Mr. Hanks ! ’ — just like that — and he said he 
was sorry to leave and — and he thanked me for 
bringing the tray and — and I ran out of 
the room because — because — ” Hope’s eyes 
were because ” enough. The boys looked 
away while she dashed a wisp of a handkerchief 
across them. Poke whistled between his teeth, 
much out of tune. “I — I think it’s just--^ 

148 


ME. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 149 

just too horrid for anything I ended Hope 
tremulously. 

Jim stirred his feet uneasily and Gil cleared 
his throat as if to speak and then evidently 
thought better of it. Hope subsided on the arm 
of a porch rocker. It was Jeffrey who spoke 
first. 

I^m awfully sorry, he said. ‘‘ I sup- 
pose we’re all to blame to some extent.” 

If he had any grit — ” began Poke. 

I’d like to punch that fellow’s head,” Jim 
growled. 

What fellow? Bull Gary? ” asked Gil. 

Jim nodded. 

‘‘ What are we going to do? ” demanded 
Hope anxiously. 

I don’t see that there’s anything we can 
do, ’ ’ answered Gil. ‘‘I’m sorry he ’s going, for 
he really isn’t a bad sort. But he’d never get 
on here because the fellows have found out that 
they can do just as they please with him. If 
he’d put his foot down hard the first day and 
made Bull and a few of the others walk the 
plank he wouldn’t have had any trouble. As it 
is now I guess he’s wise to quit.” 

“ That’s all well enough for you,” demurred 


150 


CROFTON CHUMS 


Jim, but we can^t afford to lose a lodger. So, 
by hooky, something’s just got to be done! ” 
If we went up and asked him to stay don’t 
you think perhaps he would ? ’ ’ asked Hope. 

Sure! He’d do anything to oblige us,’^ re- 
plied Poke ironically. 

‘‘You needn’t be sarcastic,” murmured Hope 
aggrievedly. “ I don’t think you’ve been very 
nice about it anyway. Poke. ’ ’ 

There was a silence after this that lasted until 
Jetfrey, who had been staring thoughtfully into 
the dusk, said : 

“ Look here, if some one can induce Nancy 
to turn over a new leaf now and — er — buck 
up, you know, he won ’t have much trouble, will 
he? It isn’t too late, is it? ” 

“I’m afraid so,” said Gil. 

“I’m not,” said Poke. “ But he wouldn’t 
do it; he doesn’t know how.” 

“ Do you think he’d mind if we suggested 
something of the sort to him? ” pursued Jeffrey. 
The rest looked doubtful, but Hope broke out 
eagerly with : 

“ Of course he wouldn’t! He’s just as nice 
and — and good-natured as he can be. Let’s 
do it! ” 

But Poke hung back. “ He’d probably tell 


ME. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 151 


us to mind our own miserable business/^ be ob- 
jected. 

There ’d be no barm in trying it,’’ said Jim. 
‘‘ Let’s all go up and tell him we’ve beard that 
he’s going to leave and that we’re sorry and — 
and — ” 

‘‘ And then wbat? ” asked Poke. Tell him 
be doesn’t know bis business and that he’s made 
a mess of things? ” 

‘‘ Why not? ” asked Jeffrey quietly. It’s 
so, isn’t it? ” 

If you’ll do the talking,” suggested Jim, 
“ it’ll be all right, Jeff. Wbat do you say, 
Gil? ” 

Ob, I’U go.” 

Will you. Poke? ” 

‘‘ Not by a long shot ! ” 

‘‘Ob, Poke, I think you might!” wailed 
Hope. “ It’s partly your fault, and you know 
it is, and I think you might do wbat you can 
to — to help.” 

“ Gee, you talk as though I was to blame for 
everything,” Poke growled. “ Anybody would 
think — ” 

“ Oh, cut out the grouch,” said Gil. “ No- 
body’s asking you to do anything except go up 
there and hear Jeff talk.” 


152 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


I think you’d better do the talking,” ob- 
jected Jeffrey. You’re the oldest, Gil.” 

‘‘You can do it better. If you need help the 
rest of us will come to your assistance. Eeady 
now? Know what you’re going to say? ” 

Not exactly,” laughed Jeffrey, but I 
guess I can stumble through with it.” 

“ Good! ” said Jim eagerly. Let’s go be- 
fore we lose courage.” 

So, Gil and Jeffrey leading and Poke ambling 
along behind with his hands in his pockets and 
a general expression of disapprobation about 
him, the five mounted the stairs and knocked at 
the door of the instructor’s room. Bidden to 
enter, they found Mr. Hanks at his desk, pen in 
hand and a pile of manuscript at his elbow. He 
had taken his tea, Hope observed, but nothing 
else on the tray had been touched. As the 
embassy filed into the room Mr. Hanks arose 
from his chair with a look of surprise and em- 
barrassment. 

Good evening, sir,” began Jeffrey. May 
we come in for a minute if you’re not too 
busy? ” 

‘‘ Er — certainly! How do you do? Won’t 
you — won’t you be seated? ” Mr. Hanks 
glanced around nervously in search of accom- 


rhey found Mr. Hanks at his desk 








MR. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 155 


4 




modations. Gil and Poke simplified matters by 
seating themselves on the edge of the bed, leav- 
ing the chairs for the others. Mr. Hanks laid 
aside the tortoise-shell spectacles he was wear- 
ing, pushed his manuscript aside, drew it back 
again, smiled doubtfully and subsided in his 
chair. 

You — er — you wanted to see me? he 
asked, clearing his throat nervously. 

Yes, sir,^’ replied Jetfrey. ‘‘ Hope has 
just told us, sir, that you are thinking of leav- 
ing Crofton.^’ 

Yes.^^ Mr. Hanks glanced down at his pa- 
pers. Yes, I have decided to resign,^’ he re- 
plied, in tones which he strove to make sound 
businesslike and matter-of-fact. 

“ We’re awfully sorry to hear it, Mr. 
Hanks,” said Jetfrey earnestly. 

“ Terribly sorry,” said Hope. 

<< Very,”.said Gil. 


You bet,” said Jim. 

Poke growled something inarticulate. 

Mr. Hanks glanced around in surprise and 
embarrassment. 

‘ ‘ Why — er — that ’s very good of you all, 
very kind of you, I’m sure,” he murmured. 
I — I regret the necessity of leaving, myself. 


156 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


I was getting very fond of the school, quite at- 
tached. And this place — he looked about 
the room — suits me very well. The light is 
excellent, you see, and owing to the fact that my 
eyes are not what they used to be I have to be 
very particular about — er — about light. ’ ’ 

‘‘Yes, sir,^’ said Jeffrey. “Mr. Hanks, 
maybe we’re sort of intruding on your affairs, 
sir, but when we heard about your leaving we 
got to talking it over and we decided that we’d 
come up here and ask you to — to reconsider. ’ ’ 
Mr. Hanks opened his mouth to speak, but 
Jeffrey hurried on. “We may he wrong, sir, 
but our idea is that you’re leaving because 
some of us haven’t been acting very well in 
class.” 

“ I think I have no complaint to make about 
any of you young gentlemen,” replied Mr. 
Hanks, looking from one to the other and al- 
lowing his eyes to rest on Poke, for what the 
youth thought was an unnecessary length of 
time. “ But I won’t attempt to deny that your 
— your assumption is correct, Latham. The 
fact is that I am, I tind, quite unsuited to the 
work here. The position I have tried to fill re- 
quires a man with more experience than I have 
had.” 


MR. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 3 

May we talk right out plain, Mr. Hanks I 
asked Jeffrey. 

<< Why, I think so,^’ replied the instructor, 
trifle bewildered. 

‘‘ Then what we came up here to say, sir, 
just this. There isnT any reason why you 
should leave us on account of what’s been gob: 
on in class. Of course we fellows haven’t ai ; 
right to act the way we’ve been acting, but f 
guess it’s more than half your fault, IVl 
Hanks. You see, sir, if you’d started rig 
with us we’d have behaved ourselves, but yc 
didn’t understand, I guess. If you’d sent a 
couple of fellows up to Mr. Gordon the first 
time there was trouble the whole thing would 
have stopped right there, but you didn’t and 
the fellows think now they can do as they please. 
That’s where the trouble is.” 

^ ^ Er — yes — I dare say. Yes, I realize 
now that I should have acted — er — differ- 
ently, that I should have been — er — stern.” 
(Gil tried not to grin at the thought of Mr. 
Hanks being stern.) Doubtless, I have, as 
you say, followed a mistaken course with the 
classes. I see that now. But the damage is 
done, Latham, and so — so I think the best 
thing to do is to retire in favor of some man 


158 


CROFTON CHUMS 


who can — er — who understands yon young 
gentlemen better than I do.’’ Poke thought he 
detected a faint emphasis on the word gentle- 
men. He hadn’t meant to open his mouth, but 
he suddenly found himself speaking. 

‘‘ What’s the use, sir? ” he asked. Why 
don ’t you stick it out and start over, sir ? Kick 
a few fellows out of class, send a few up to J. G. 
and sock some extra work onto a few more? 
That’ll fix ’em in the shake of a lamb’s tail! It 
isn’t too late, Mr. Hanks.” 

Mr. Hanks shook his head, however. I’m 
afraid it is,” he said. ‘‘ Anything I might do 
now would be quite futile. They have — er — 
taken my measure, so to speak.” 

“ I don’t agree with you, sir,” said Gil. 

I think Poke is right. I think if you’ll start 
in to-morrow and sit down hard on the first 
fellow who starts anything you ’ll have things in 
shape in no time at all. Of course, you’ll have 
to keep it up for awhile, sir, but it won’t be long 
before the fellows will find out that you’re not 
to be monkeyed with. You see, sir, the fact is 
none of us have anything against you; I guess 
we all like you pretty well ; anyhow, this bunch 
here does; it’s just that here at Crofton every 
new faculty has to be hazed a little. Usually 


MR. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 159 

they stand about so much of it and then some- 
thing drops and iPs all over. You didnT quite 
understand, sir, and you let things run along. 
Why not do as Poke says, Mr. Hanks? Why 
not stay where you are and hit out from the 
shoulder once or twice? ’’ 

Hit out from — You don’t mean strike 
any one? ” gasped the instructor. 

‘‘No, sir,” Gil laughed, “not actually. I 
mean punish some one good and hard ; set an ex- 
ample for the whole class.” 

“ Oh! ” Mr. Hanks was visibly relieved. 
“You — you think that would — er — accom- 
plish something? ” 

“I’m certain of it,” replied Gil decidedly. 

“ Sure to,” said Poke. 

Mr. Hanks played with his pen for a minute. 
Then he looked up with a helpless smile at Gil. 

“ What — what could I do? ” he asked. 

“ Why, sir, the first time any fellow does any- 
thing in class he shouldn’t, call him down.” 

“ Call him down? ” questioned Mr. Hanks, 
at a loss. 

“ Reprimand him, I mean. Then if he 
doesn’t behave send him to Mr. Gordon. Mr. 
Gordon will stand back of you, sir; he always 
does. Take Gary for instance, sir. If you did 


160 CEOFTON CHUMS 

that just once with him he’d come back as meek 
as a kitten. ’ ’ 

‘‘ And what would Mr. Gordon do to him? ” 

Gil shrugged his shoulders. He might do 
most anything, sir. It would depend on what 
Gary had done. He might put him on proba- 
tion, he might send him home for the rest of 
the term, he might expel him for keeps.” 

‘‘ But I shouldn’t want anything like that to 
happen to the hoy,” said Mr. Hanks in alarm. 

He has been very trying to me; in fact, I 
have sometimes suspected that in a way he has 
been at the bottom of most of my troubles, what 
I might call a ringleader, Benton.” 

‘‘ Yes, sir, that might be,” replied Gil 
gravely. 

Yes. But even so I should very much dis- 
like to be the cause of his being sent from school 
even temporarily. ’ ’ 

He wouldn’t be if you told J. G. to be 
easy with him,” said Poke. That’s what 
Gary needs, though, Mr. Hanks, a good scare. 
You throw one into him and see what a differ- 
ence it will make.” 

I do wish you’d try it, please, sir,” said 
Hope. 

Mr. Hanks was silent a moment. Once he 


MR. HANKS ACCEPTS ADVICE 161 


sighed deeply. Once he smiled slightly at the 
pen he was rolling between his long fingers. 
Finally he looked up. 

This has been very kind of you,’’ he said 
quietly. ‘‘ I appreciate your — your interest. 
I thank you — all. ’ ’ 

‘‘ And you’ll try it? ” cried Hope eagerly. 
Mr. Hanks smiled and shook his head. I 
must consider it, ’ ’ he answered. ‘ ‘ The plan is 

— is revolutionary. I have great doubts of my 
ability in the role you have assigned me. But 

— I will think it over.” 

And meanwhile you’ll stay, won’t you, 
sir? ” asked Jim anxiously. 

Yes, I shall — er — postpone any action in 
regard to my resignation for the present. I — 
I have no wish to leave here. My room is very 
comfortable and the light is — er — excellent.” 

Well, we don’t want you to leave,” said 
Poke gruffly. “ And I guess you won’t need to 
if you take our advice, sir. Good night, sir. ’ ’ 
Good night,” responded Mr. Hanks, rising, 
good night. I thank you all very much.” 

^ ‘ Shall I take your tray away ? ’ ’ asked Hope. 
‘ ^ Eh ? Why — er — no. I rather think I ’ll 
eat a little of the — er — whatever it is. I 
really feel a bit hungry.” 


CHAPTEE XI 


ON THE SECOND 

W HETHEE Mr. Hanks meant to profit by 
the advice so frankly given him re- 
mained a question for several days. On Fri- 
day his classes in Latin and history presented 
the usual disordered appearance and the in- 
structor's attitude remained the same. It 
seemed to Gil, however, that Mr. Hanks was a 
little quieter and a little less nervous than usual ; 
that he was silently studying the situation. 
But Gil may only have imagined that. There 
were no actual outbreaks of disorder on Fri- 
day, although Brandon Gary and his crowd in- 
dulged to their hearts ’ content in minor annoy- 
ances. Saturday Mr. Hanks had only classes 
in Latin and for almost the first time since his 
appearance at Crofton recitations went off 
quietly and in order, due to the fact that the 
first football game of the season was to be 
played that afternoon and every fellow in 
162 


ON THE SECOND 163 

school was much too absorbed in that to have 
either time or inclination for mischief. 

On Friday Jim had weathered another day of 
practice without results damaging to his repu- 
tation for skill and experience. He had signal 
practice with the third squad and by dint of 
maintaining an appearance of ease and doing 
what the others did as best he could he had 
managed to deceive even Johnny Connell. 
Johnny was puzzled however. He confided as 
much to Duncan Sargent. 

I donT understand how he can handle him- 
self as awkwardly as he does, Cap,” said 
Johnny. “ He seems to know what to do all 
right, hut he makes all sorts of false moves 
while he’s doing it.” 

“ He can play, though, can’t hef ” asked Sar- 
gent, his mind only half on the subject. 

‘‘ Yes, it looks so,” answered Johnny. 

‘‘Well, let’s see what we can do with him. 
If we take Curtis from the second squad we’ll 
need some one in his place who can put up a 
fight against Cosgrove. Think Hazard would 
fit in? ” 

“ I guess so. He’s got the build and he’s 
strong as a colt — and just about as awkward. 

10 


164 


CROFTON CHUMS 


Of course, that may be because be hasn’t bad 
much practice.” 

I shouldn’t wonder,” murmured the cap- 
tain. What time is it? Can we start the 
scrimmage? ” 

On Saturday all Sunnywood went to the 
game. Gill and Poke, to play, Jim to sit on the 
substitutes’ bench, Jeffrey, with Mrs. Hazard 
and Hope as his guests, to follow the play with 
the keenest enjoyment and to elucidate to his 
companions what everything meant. Crofton 
High School was not a dangerous opponent, al- 
though in the matter of practice she was a whole 
fortnight ahead of Crofton. Her work showed 
a finish that was quite absent from that of the 
home eleven and only the fact that her team was 
lighter and her plays old fashioned allowed 
Crofton to win the contest. At the end of the 
second period Crofton had a touchdown and a 
safety to her credit and High School had only 
once been dangerous. Then a try at goal from 
the twenty-five yards had gone badly astray. 
In the third period four substitutes went in for 
Crofton and there was no scoring by either 
team. The fourth period began for the Crim- 
son-and-Gray with what was practically an en- 
tirely new eleven, only Teamey at right end and 


ON THE SECOND 


165 


Poke at right half remaining in. The periods 
were ten minutes long and when only six 
minutes of the game remained Crofton High 
began to make headway through the Academy’s 
line and at last secured a second try at goal from 
the field. This time her kicker was successful 
from the thirty-two-yard line and High School 
chalked three points to her credit. It was after 
that feat, while the teams were resuming their 
places for the kick-otf, that Johnny beckoned to 
Jim, who, sandwiched in between big Andy La- 
Grange, the first string center, and ‘‘ Punk ” 
Gibbs of the second, had been comfortably 
watching the progress of the conflict with no 
thought of participating. Jim stared unbe- 
lievingly until Johnny called him impatiently 
and Gibbs dug an unkind elbow against his ribs. 
Then Jim squirmed from the bench and strug- 
gled with his sweater. 

“Go in for Curtis at left tackle,” said 
Johnny. “You know the signals, don’t you? ” 

Jim nodded, trying hard to recall one single 
thing about them ! 

“ All right. Hurry up. Show me what you 
can do. And play low. Hazard! ” 

Jim sped out on to the gridiron, searching 
wildly for the referee, his heart thumping 


166 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


alarmingly as lie realized that he was to take 
part in an actual contest. He found the of- 
ficial, sent Curtis off grumbling and took his 
place. Perhaps luckily for Jim he was not 
called on for any special feats of prowess dur- 
ing the short time that remained, for he was de- 
cidedly nervous. To his credit, however, it 
may be said that he broke through well and, on 
the defense, held his adversary fairly. There 
was no more scoring and just as Jim had re- 
gained his confidence and was beginning to en- 
joy the fray the final whistle was blown and it 
was all over, the score 7 to 3 in favor of the 
Academy. 

In the gymnasium later Jim ran into Duncan 
Sargent. Sargent, his powerful body, scantily 
draped with a bath towel, glowing from the ef- 
fects of a shower, stopped him. 

‘‘ Good work. Hazard,’^ he said cordially. 
‘‘ I watched you to-day. Keep it up and we’ll 
find a place for you before the season’s done. 
There’s just one thing, though, old man, and 
that is : Play low! Try to remember that, will 
you? ” And the captain passed on with a 
smile and a nod, leaving Jim very pleased and 
a little remorseful. 

Perhaps no one was more delighted with the 


ON THE SECOND 


167 


events of the afternoon than Hope. She made 
heroes of Gil and Poke and Jim, and especially 
Jim. Yon played perfectly jimmy! ’’ she de- 
clared. ‘ ‘ And I saw Grace Andrews there and 
I was just as proud and sticky as — as any- 
thing! Wasn’t it too funny, Jim, you should 
have played against her brother? ” 

“ Was that who he was? ” asked Jim. ‘‘ I 
didn’t know his name. He’s pretty light for a 
tackle. ’ ’ 

(Jim, you see, was already talking like an 
expert.) 

Well, anyhow, you played all around him. 
Jetf said so. And we beat them, didn’t we? ” 

We ought to. We were pounds heavier, 
sis.” 

I wish you could have seen Lady when 
J efP told her that you were going to play. She 
covered up her face with her hands and then 
looked through her fingers every minute ! ’ ’ 
That was Jim’s baptism by fire and those few 
minutes of play gave him new courage to go on 
with his role. On Monday practice was length- 
ened and the work became a good deal like 
drudgery. One had to have a real passion for 
football in order to really get any enjoyment 
out of the proceedings. For the first part of 


168 


CROFTON CHUMS 


the week scrimmaging was abandoned entirely, 
and Johnny, who had detected a lack of f undi- 
mental knowledge in the players, took them 
back to first principals, and even Duncan Sar- 
gent himself was put to tackling the dummy 
and handling the ball. On Thursday the one 
scrimmage of the week was held and Jim fought 
through ten minutes on the second team at left 
tackle and had his hands very full in keeping 
Cosgrove and Shepard, who opposed him, from 
making him look like the inexperienced player 
he was. But Jim kept his wits about him, 
worked hard, bluffed harder, and pulled through 
creditably. And every day now he was gain- 
ing knowledge and knack and football sense. 
And every day the awkwardness which had puz- 
zled the trainer was wearing off. Jim had 
strength of body and plenty of sound sense, and 
he was developing both every day. And so, 
by the end of that week, the school was taking 
notice of him and fellows were discussing his 
chance of ousting Curtis from the second team. 
In short, he had made good. And Poke was as 
pleased as might be. 

‘‘ What did I tell you, Jimmy, my boy? ” he 
asked that Friday night. Didn’t I tell you 
I’d make a real player out of you? Didn’t I 


ON THE SECOND 


169 


tell you you’d be down on your knees thanking 
me for my efforts in your behalf, you ungrate- 
ful pup? ” 

Well, I’m not going down on my knees,” 
laughed Jim. “ They’re much too lame.” 

‘‘ Look here, Jim,” broke in Jeffrey ex- 
citedly, ‘‘ if you can manage to get on the first 
team before the season’s through think what 
it would mean ! Why, out of eleven men 
there ’d be three from Sunnywood! ” 

“ Eah for Sunnywood!” cried Poke. 

Don’t you worry. Senator; Jim will make the 
first yet. I’ve got it all doped out. Listen, 
my children : Marshall won ’t last long. He ’s 
a good player, but he had whooping cough or 
something — ” 

Measles,” corrected Gil. 

Well, measles, then, in the summer, and he 
can’t stand the pace. Johnny sees that already. 
That’s why Curtis has been playing at left 
tackle in practice. But Curtis is too slow. He 
may stay first choice, but it’s pounds to pen- 
nies that if Jim keeps on coming he will find 
himself first sub when the Hawthorne game 
comes along. Now you fellows mark my 
words! ” 

“ You’re a wonderful little prophet, Poke,” 


170 


CROFTON CHUMS 


said Gil. Still, I shouldn’t be surprised if 
things turned out something like that. Keep 
it up, Jim. You’re doing fine! ” 

‘‘ Think I’ll get in to-morrow? ” asked Jim 
anxiously. 

‘‘ Sure to for a while,” replied Poke. 

Why, Dun Sargent’s tickled to death with 
you. He’s thanked me half a dozen times for 
getting you out. And now he thinks I’m the 
one best bet as a football scout. Wants me to 
keep my eyes open and find him a good left end 
in Gil’s place.” And Poke scampered before 
Gil could reach him. 

Jim did get into the next day’s game, just as 
Poke had predicted, and although he had one 
bad fumble to his discredit he played a good 
game through one whole period and more than 
atoned for his fault. And Jim was not the only 
one to fumble the pigskin that day. Even Gil 
lost the chance of a clean touchdown by letting 
the hall roll out of his arms when tackled on the 
five-yard line, while Arnold, the quarter-hack, 
twice offended. But in spite of these misad- 
ventures Crofton had no trouble in rolling up 
seventeen points against her adversary. 

Meanwhile Mr. Hanks had given no sign. 
There was less trouble in his classes nowadays, 


ON THE SECOND 


171 


possibly because the whole school was so much 
interested in football, and it began to look as 
though the instructor's troubles were over. 
But on the following Tuesday, Brandon Gary, 
realizing possibly, that he had neglected his du- 
ties as a cut-up, gave his attention again to 
Mr. Hanks. That was at five minutes past ten. 

At a quarter past ten Gary was sitting in 
Mr. Gordon’s office. 

At twelve o ’clock it was known all over school 
that Bull Gary was on probation. 


CHAPTER XII 


GAEY IS SUEPKISED 

L et Gil and Poke tell about Gary^s surprise 
party, for they were eye-witnesses. 

You could have knocked me over with a 
feather, ’ ’ declared Poke — the four Sunnywood 
boys were on their way back to the cottage at 
noon — and I never thought Nancy Hanks 
had it in him ! Here ’s the way it was. Most 
of the class were in their seats and Mort Nich- 
ols — he’s monitor, you know — was calling 
the roll. When he got to the G’s he skipped 
Bull’s name because he could see that Bull 
wasn’t there. Mort’s rather a chum of Bull’s, 
you know. But Nancy was on to him. 
‘ You’ve left out a name, Nichols,’ says he. 
‘ Go back, please.’ So Mort gets sort of red 
and calls, ‘ Gary.’ And Bull, who had just 
come loafing in at the door says, ‘ Dead on the 
field of battle,’ and the fellows began to laugh. 
It really was funny, wasn’t it, Gil? ” 

Rather.” 


172 


GAEY IS SUEPEISED 173 

“Pshaw! You laughed, too. I saw you. 
Well, Nancy never turned a hair — ’’ 

“ The funny thing,'’ interrupted Gil, “ was 
the way Mr. Hanks was looking. He was sort 
of white and frightened and he had his mouth 
set in a straight line like — like this." And 
Gil illustrated. “ I never saw him look that 
way before." 

“ And he had a funny little sparkle in his 
eyes," said Poke. - “ Did you notice that, 
Gil? " 

“ Yes. He really looked kind of dangerous 
and I was mighty glad I wasn't Bull Gary just 
then. ' ' 

“ Well, get on with your story," said Jim. 
“ Then what happened? " 

“ Then," replied Gil, “ Mr. Hanks said, 

‘ Are we to understand by that cryptic remark, 
Gary, that you desire to be marked as pres- 
ent? ' And Bull was so flabbergasted that all 
he could do was stammer, ‘ Y-yes, sir.' ‘ Mark 
Gary present,' said Mr. Hanks. So Mort went 
on with the roll and we began the recitation, 
all the fellows looking at each other and won- 
dering what had happened to Mr. Hanks. 
Marshall was reciting when there was a crash 
at the back of the room. It seems that 


174 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Bull had reached out with his foot and poked 
over a pile of books on Punk Gibbs’ desk. Mr. 
Hanks held up a hand and Marshall stopped. 
‘ Whose hooks are those? ’ he asked. ‘ Mine, 
sir,’ replied Punk very, very meekly. ^ Pick 
them up, please. ’ So Punk picked them up and 
put them back and the room was very quiet. 
Every one was grinning, but no one made a 
sound. Marshall started otf again when — 
hang! went the pile of books once more. Mr. 
Hanks lifted his hand. ‘ Whose hooks are 
those? ’ he asked again. ‘ Mine,’ said Punk, 
looking sort of scared. ‘ Pick them up, please.’ 
‘ I didn’t knock them off,’ grumbled Punk. 
‘ Wlio did? ’ asked Mr. Hanks. But Punk 
wouldn’t tell. Then Mr. Hanks said, ‘ The stu- 
dent who pushed those hooks onto the floor will 
kindly pick them up.’ No one moved for a 
minute. ‘ We will wait,’ said Mr. Hanks, and 
sat down again in his chair. Finally Punk 
grumbled something and started to pick them 
up, when Mr. Hanks said : ‘ Let them alone, 
Gibbs ! ’ And Punk sat up as though he was 
shot. Another minute or so passed. Some 
one began to snigger nervously at the hack of 
the room. ‘ Wlio’s that laughing? ’ asked Mr. 
Hanks. After that there wasn’t a sound. 


GAEY IS SURPRISED 


175 


Finally Mr. Hanks looked at the clock. ‘ IVe 
given you plenty of time/ he said, ‘ hut you may 
have thirty seconds more in which to replace 
those books,’ and he looked straight at Bull. 
Bull grinned, but didn’t move.” 

‘‘ Just the same,” broke in Poke, he was 
getting pretty nervous.” 

We all were,” said Gil. Finally Mr. 
Hanks said, ‘ Time’s up, Gary. You’re delay- 
ing the recitation.’ ^ I didn’t knock them otf,’ 
said Bull in his ugliest tones. ‘ You didn’t? ’ 
asked Mr. Hanks very quietly. ^ Think well, 
Gary, before you answer.’ Bull looked around 
and grinned. ‘ No, I didn’t,’ said he. And 
then Mr. Hanks, our quiet little Nancy Hanks, 
exploded a bombshell. ^ Report to Mr. Gor- 
don, Gary,’ said he sternly. Bull sat and 
looked at him with his mouth wide open, too 
surprised to speak, and the rest of us just 
gasped. Finally Bull said, ‘ What for, sir? ’ 
in that bullying way of his, and Mr. Hanks came 
back at him like a flash. ^ For disturbance in 
class and lying! ’ he said! ” 

‘ ‘ And that, ’ ’ murmured Poke, ^ ‘ was the way 
the battle was fit.” 

Gee! ” said Jim. Gary must have been 
surprised. ’ ’ 


176 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Did lie go right away? asked Jeffrey. 

Like a lamb/^ answered Gil. And then, 
‘ Please continue, Marshall,’ said Mr. Hanks. 
And there wasn’t a better-behaved class in 
school than we were ! ” 

Just what we told him would happen,” de- 
clared Poke. ‘ ‘ He ought to be mighty grateful 
to us for giving him the tip.” 

‘ ‘ He will probably send up a set of engraved 
resolutions, thanking us,” said Jim dryly. 

“ What I want to know is,” remarked Jeffrey 
as they passed through the cottage gate, ‘ ‘ what 
the team’s going to do without Gary at right 
guard. ’ ’ 

I wonder myself,” mused Gil as they 
took their places on the porch. Probably 
they’ll bring Parker over from the second. 
But it’s going to weaken the team like any- 
thing.” 

How long will J. G. keep him on pro? ” 
asked Poke. 

‘‘ Search me. Maybe he will let him back in 
time for the big game. That’s not much more 
than a month away now.” 

I hope he will,” said Jeffrey. We cer- 
tainly need him in the line.” 

‘‘ But think of Nancy rearing up and being. 


GARY IS SURPRISED 


177 


saucy like that ! ’ ^ marveled Poke. ^ ‘ I could 
hardly believe my own little eyes, fellows! 

‘ ‘ It’s a case of the worm will turn, ’ ’ observed 
Jeffrey. 

And here comes the worm,” whispered 

Jim. 

Mr. Hanks came along the road with a bun- 
dle of blue books under his arm. He had dis- 
carded his straw hat for a faded black Fedora 
that was perhaps two sizes too large for him 
and that settled down over his forehead in 
a desperate and rakish manner. To-day it 
seemed to the hoys on the porch that the in- 
structor held his head more erect and stepped 
out more briskly. When he came up the steps 
they were all on their feet and unconsciously 
there was a new respect in the way in which 
they stood at attention and took off their caps. 
Mr. Hanks bowed his jerky bow and passed 
them silently. When he was heard mounting 
the stairs Jim observed thoughtfully: 

‘ Nancy ’ doesn’t seem to fit him so well 
to-day, fellows.” 

Naturally enough Mr. Hanks’ astounding 
change from the meek and lowly victim to the 
high-handed martinet was a nine days’ won- 
der. During that nine days three other mem- 


178 


CROFTON CHUMS 


bers of bis classes were punished in various 
ways and from that time on recitations in Latin 
and history were conducted with a decorum 
that soon became the envy of other instructors. 
Mr. Hanks never spoke to Gil or Poke, Jim or 
Jeffrey about the matter, nor did he ever show 
them any special consideration in class, but in 
' some way they all understood that he was grate- 
ful, and with their new respect for him was a 
stronger liking. 

In the meanwhile football affairs were at 
sixes and sevens for the better part of a week, 
for Gary’s probation prohibited him from tak- 
ing part in athletics and when he left the team 
the team lost one of its strongest units. Parker 
was tried, but found wanting. Springer, left 
guard on the second, was brought across to the 
first but fared badly in the first game played. 
Finally Cosgrove, right tackle on the first, was 
moved to Gary’s vacant place, and Curtis, of 
the second, was promoted to right tackle on 
the first. Whereupon, presto! — Mr. James 
Hazard found himself with disconcerted sud- 
denness playing left tackle on the second team I 
And the season was half over and already the 
Hawthorne game loomed large and impending 
on the horizon. 


GAR^ IS SURPRISED 


179 


To say that Jim was pleased is putting it hut 
mildly. To say that he was secretly alarmed 
is no more than the truth. It is one thing to 
serve as a substitute and be put m for five or 
ten minutes when the game is safe and quite 
another to he a first string man. On defense 
Jim found himself opposed to Tearney, right 
end on the first, and that was not so bad, but 
on the attack he had Cosgrove in front of him 
and Cosgrove was an old and experienced 
player with a most irritating trick of coaxing 
Jim otf-side, for which, for the first week or 
so, Jim was forever being censured by coach 
and captain and quarter-back. Of course play- 
ing on the second team is not as momentous 
an alfair as being on the Varsity, hut it’s the 
next biggest thing, and if any one thinks that 
a second team doesn’t take itself very seriously 
they should have watched proceedings at Crof- 
ton that fall. The second, captained by Page, 
the tiny quarter-hack, went into every tussle 
as though the fair honor of Crofton was in their 
keeping. The second regretted the loss of Cur- 
tis, but speedily made Jim welcome to their 
ranks. He soon got close to several fellows 
well worth knowing and within a fortnight was 
Jim ” to every member of the team. 

11 


180 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


At Suniiywood, true to their promise, Gil 
and Poke assisted in the household duties every 
morning and evening. Mrs. Hazard had in- 
stead of one majordomo three cheerfully willing 
assistants. Chilly weather had come and the 
furnace had begun its duty, and in the morn- 
ing the three boys descended to the cellar and 
put it in shape, raking out ashes and sifting 
them, shoveling coal, picking over cinders and 
splitting kindling for the kitchen. Jeffrey, al- 
though barred from taking an active part in the 
chores, made himself useful whenever possible. 
In the evening a somewhat similar program was 
carried out, and at ten o’clock Poke, who had 
evolved certain theories for the scientific man- 
agement of furnaces, went down and fixed the 
fire for the night. In this way Jim had plenty 
of time to pursue the gentle art of football. 


Gil ami Poke assisted in the household duties. 





4 


CHAPTER XIII 


POKE ON CANOES 

I T was shortly after Mr Hanks’ disconcerting 
assumption of the role of despot that Jeff- 
rey crossed the hall to Gil and Poke’s room one 
Friday evening. 

‘‘ Are you fellows still grinding? ” he asked. 
‘‘We are still studying,” responded Poke. 
“ Please try to abstain from slang, Mr. Latham. 
I don’t care so much about myself, but it sets 
a had example for my friend across the table. 
I have to he very careful about him. His par- 
ents have placed him in my charge, you see. 
Well, what’s on your mind, old top? ” 

“ I’ve been thinking,” said Jeffrey gravely. 
“ I know.” Poke nodded sympathetically. 
“ It does make you feel sort of queer, doesn’t 
it? Have a glass of water? ” 

“ That might give him water on the brain,” 
observed Gil, looking up from his book. 

Poke observed him sorrowfully. “ Your 
183 


184 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


humor, Gil, is heavy, very heavy. Go on with 
your Latin, my poor fellow. 

‘ ‘ How the dickens can I, when you two chaps 
are talking? asked Gil mildly, pushing his 
book away. 

“ I thought you’d be through,” said Jeffrey. 

I’ll come in again later.” 

Sit still, Jeff. I am through. I was just 
taking a fall out of Monday’s stutf. Where’s 
Jim? ” 

‘ ‘ Over there ; studying math. ’ ’ J etf rey indi- 
cated his room with a jerk of his head. I’ve 
been thinking — ” 

‘‘ You said that before,” interrupted Poke 
sweetly. 

‘ ‘ Shut up. Poke ! Let him think if he wants 
to. Just because you never do it — ” 

Let him tell it, Gil, can’t you? Always in- 
terrupting and annoying folks with your 
beastly chatter. Go ahead, Jeff; don’t mind 
him; you’ve been thinking; now what’s the 
rest ? Bet you I know the answer ! ’ ’ 

Jeff aimed a blow at Poke’s shins with the 
end of a crutch and Poke kicked his feet up just 
in time. “He’s getting crutchity, Gil,” he 
said sadly. 

Gil threatened him with a book from the table 


POKE ON CANOES 185 

and Poke retired to the other side of the 
room. 

“Yon see,’^ said Jeff, taking advantage of 
Pokers retreat to state his errand, “ you see, 
fellows, IVe been thinking — 

There was a chuckle from the window seat 
which turned quickly into a cough as Gil swung 
around in that direction, the book still in his 
hand. Jeffrey smiled. 

“ Thinking,’’ he went on, “ about getting a 
canoe.” 

“ Gee, hut I’m glad you aren’t thinking 
about getting a steam yacht! ” ejaculated Poke. 
“ You’d have brain fever by this time! ” 

“ They say there’s a man named Sandford 
up the river who makes corkers.” 

“ There is; at Eiverbend. There are two 
or three up there who make canoes,” replied 
Gil. 

“ Well, I’ve always heard that Sandford ’s 
were the best. I think — ” 

‘ ‘ He ’s at it again ! ’ ’ groaned Poke, who had 
fortified himself with half a dozen cushions. 
“ He’s at it again! ” 

“ I think I’ll buy one. Oughtn’t I get a 
pretty good one for thirty dollars, Gil? ” 

“ I really don’t know, Jetf. Never bought a 


186 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


canoe in my life. I would think so, though. 
How about it, Poke? ’’ 

‘‘ Oh, am I to be allowed to speak? asked 
Poke in a muffled voice from behind his breast- 
works. Had to come to old Poke when you 
wanted to know something, didn’t you? ” 

“ Oh, shut up, you idiot I ” laughed Gil. 
How much do canoes cost? ” 

Poke emerged in a shower of cushions. 
Canoes? ” he asked. ‘‘ Well now, what kind 
of canoes? There are canvas canoes, wooden 
canoes, paper canoes, birch-bark canoes, steel 
canoes, dug-outs — ” 

Dug-outs, of course,” replied Gil sar- 
castically. “ Those are what Sandford makes, 
I suppose? ” 

Irony doesn’t become you,” responded 
Poke critically. ‘‘ Irony, Gil, should be in- 
dulged in only by those having an iron consti- 
tution. Eetuming to the subject of canoes and 
the cost thereof — ” 

Thirty dollars will probably buy you a 
first-class one, Jeff,” Gil interrupted. When 
are you going to — ” 

‘‘ Thirty dollars will buy a very fair one 
only,” Poke corrected. ‘‘ Allow me, if you 
please, to speak on this subject. I suppose 


POKE ON CANOES 


187 


there is no one in Crofton who has more knowl- 
edge of canoes than I, Jeff. Canoes are — are 
an open book to me. I can tell yon where to 
buy them, how to buy them, when to buy them 
— and when not to! Also, I have full knowl- 
edge of what to feed them and how to bring 
them up. I suppose I’ve brought up more 
canoes — ” 

Honestly, Poke, you’re silly,” said Gil dis- 
gustedly. We’re talking seriously, so shut 
up or get out, will you? ” 

I can be just as serious as you can, you old 
Mr. Grouch! ” Poke returned to his chair at 
the table, wearing an expression of intense 
dignity. ‘‘ Sandford’s eighteen-foot canoe, 
Jeff, costs forty-two dollars, but you can get a 
dandy sixteen-footer for thirty-five. It isn’t 
finished quite as nicely, I believe. Sometimes 
you can pick up a good second-hand one up 
there. Perky Wright has one he only paid 
about fifteen for. I don’t think it came from 
Sandford, though. What’s that other fellow’s 
name up there, Gil? ” 

‘‘ I don’t know. There are two or three 
others, aren’t there? Was Perky’s second- 
hand when he got it, Poke? ” 

“ Yes, and he had the fellow paint it all up 


188 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


as good as new. You^d never have known it 
had been nsed before he got it, Jeff.^^ 

I think I’d rather have a brand-new one,” 
said Jeff doubtfully. “ And I wouldn’t want 
an eighteen-footer; sixteen is long enough. 
Couldn’t you fellows go up there with me in 
the morning and help me buy it? ” 

“ I guess so,” Gil answered. ‘‘We’d have 
to go early, though ; dinner ’s at twelve to-mor- 
row on account of the game.” 

“We can go up on the train,” said Poke. 
“ Take the eight-something and be there in 
five minutes.” 

‘ ‘ I thought we might paddle up, ’ ’ suggested 
Jeff. “ It wouldn’t take very long.” 

“ Hm, and who would do the paddling? ” 
asked Poke with elaborate carelessness. 

“I’d do most of it,” Jeffrey replied, “ if 
some one would take a hand in the bow. ’ ’ 

“ That’s Gil, then. He’s tried it and I never 
have. How many can we get in a canoe? Is 
Jim going along? ” 

“No, he says he can’t. But I thought we 
might take Hope if she ’d like to go. ’ ’ 

“ Four of us in one frail bark? ” demurred 
Poke. 

“ Of course; easy as pie.” 


POKE ON CANOES 


189 


“ iVe seen six fellows in some of our canoes 
here/’ said Gil. ‘‘ But I’m afraid you and I’ll 
be a bit tired by the time we reach Riverbend, 
J etf . However, we can come back with the cur- 
rent. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Gee,” exclaimed Poke, I wish we didn’t 
have a game to-morrow. We could take some 
grub with us and have a picnic. ’ ’ 

Fine! Couldn’t we do it anyway? ” Jeff 
asked eagerly. 

Why not, Poke? Johnny will let us off,” 
said Gil. We’ll get Lady to put us up a nice 
big basket of grub and we ’ll find a place along 
the river and have a fine old time I Why can’t 
Jim come along? ” 

He says he has to attend to some things 
around the house in the morning,” answered 
Jeff. 

‘‘ Shucks! Where is he? I’ll attend to 
him! ” And Poke disappeared across the 
hall. 

“ We’ll have to make sure and be back by 
one-thirty,” said Gil. ‘‘ Game’s at two-thirty 
to-morrow, you know. We’ll put on our old 
things so we can fall overboard if we want to. 
By the way, Jeff, what would happen to you if 
the old thing did upset? ” 


190 


CROFTON CHUMS 


‘‘I’d swim ashore, I hope,” laughed Jeff. 

“ Really? Can you swim with — with 
those? ” Gil was looking at the crutches. 

“No, I usually leave these behind when I 
go in swimming,” replied Jeffrey with a smile. 
“ Swim is one thing I can do fairly well, Gil. 
Funny, though, isn’t it? I suppose I do most 
of it with my good leg, although I seem to get 
some push with the other, too. If we upset, you 
look after yourself; don’t worry about me; I 
dare say I’d be ashore as soon as you.” 

‘ ‘ Here he is ! ” cried Poke in the doorway. 
He had Jim by the coat collar. “ Now apolo- 
gize to Mr. Latham for so rudely refusing his 
kind invitation! ” 

“ I apologize,” laughed Jim. 

“ Then you’ll go with us? ” cried Jeffrey. 

Jim hesitated. “ I oughtn’t to,” he began. 

“ Oh, feathers! ” said Poke, giving him a 
shake. “ Of course you’ll come. What have 
you got to do here, I’d like to know? ” 

“ Lots of things; lay a carpet, for one.” 

“ Lay it after you get back,” suggested Jeff- 
rey. 

‘ ‘ I want to see the game, thank you. Maybe, 
though, I can do it to-morrow evening.” 

‘ ‘ Of course you can ; carpets lay better in the 


POKE ON CANOES 191 

evening, anyhow/’ And Poke released his 
prisoner. 

‘‘ Will Hope come along? ” asked Jeffrey. 

I guess so,” Jim replied. ‘‘ Want me to 
find out? ” 

‘‘Yes, and say, Jim, while you’re about it 
see if Lady will get up some sandwiches and 
things for us, will you? ” 

‘ ‘ Of course she will. ’ ’ Jim went out to seek 
his mother and sister, and Poke began to 
chuckle. 

“ What are you crying about? ” asked Gil. 

“ Oh, nothing much, thank you. I was just 
wondering which of us, if Hope comes, is to 
swim. For I’ll be switched if I want to go five 
in a canoe.” 

“ That’s so,” said Jeff. “ I hadn’t thought 
of that. Couldn ’t we take two canoes, Gil ? ” 

“ If we can get them, but some one will have 
to get to the boat-house pretty early or they’ll 
he taken ; that is, if it ’s a decent day. And who 
will paddle the second one? ” 

“ Jim,” replied Jeffrey. “ He can paddle 
very well now. I’ve been showing him how.” 

“ And who will take the bow paddle? ” asked 
Poke uneasily. 

“You, you lazy dub,” responded Gil 


192 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


promptly. If you can^t paddle a canoe it’s 
time you learned how. You and Jeff can go in 
one canoe, with Hope, and Jim and I will take 
the other.” 

All right, but don’t blame me if something 
awful happens. I am subject to cramps, and 
if I have a cramp I can’t paddle, and if I can’t 
paddle we’ll upset, and if we upset — ” 

You’ll get wet,” ended Jetfrey. ‘‘ So I 
guess we’ll let you and Jim take care of the 
luncheon, Gil.” 

I won’t go if you’re going to put the lunch- 
eon in his care, ’ ’ declared Poke. ‘ ‘ Why, there 
wouldn’t be a smutch of it left by the time we 
got to Eiverbend. I insist on staying close to 
the grub! ” 

As close as you want, but in another boat, 
sweet youth,” replied Gil. Here’s Jim. 
What did she say, Jim? ” 

^ ‘ Which she ? Lady says she will give us all 
the lunch we want and Hope says she would 
like to go very much indeed. To be quite exact, 
fellows, she said it would be ‘ perfectly jim- 
my! ’ ” 


CHAPTEE XIV 


UP THE KIVEE 


HEY were off at nine o ^clock tlie next morn- 



ing, Jeffrey and Poke in one canoe and 
Jim and Gil and Hope in another. The basket 
of luncheon reposed between Jeffrey and Poke, 
the latter declaring that it was needed as bal- 
last. Their canoe was not a very good one and 
was the smaller of the two, and Poke had only 
secured it, from two juniors who were in pos- 
session of it when he arrived at the boat-house, 
by his moving eloquence. It was a fine autumn 
morning, warm and sunny, and it seemed that 
the whole school had elected to spend the fore- 
noon on the river. For the first quarter of a 
mile the stream was alive with canoes and 
skiffs. Then the throng dwindled and soon the 
voyagers had the river to themselves. 

Poke was making hard work of paddling, al- 
though all that Jeffrey required of him was 
push,^’ as he put it. ‘‘ Just stick your blade 


193 


194 CROFTON CHUMS 

in, Poke, and push it back. Idl look after the 
steering.’’ 

‘‘ That’s all very well,” answered Poke, but 
I keep skinning my knuckles on the side of the 
canoe.” 

Then put your left hand higher up on the 
paddle,” Jeffrey laughed. ‘‘ And when you 
get tired, change over to the other side.” 

‘‘I’m not comfortable,” Poke grumbled 
presently. “ This thing you call a seat is as 
hard as a rock. Why don’t they have cushions 
in canoes? ” 

“ Some do,” Jeffrey replied. “ WTien I get 
mine I’ll have a cushion especially for you. 
Poke, with your initials on it. ’ ’ 

“ Just as long as you don’t ask me to sit on 
it, all right. I say, Gil, how are you getting 
on? ” 

“ Pretty well, thank you. How are you? ” 

“ Oh, fine! I guess I’m doing most of the 
work from the feeling of my arms. Say, 
wouldn’t it be great if the silly old river would 
run the other way for awhile? ” 

“I wish there was another paddle,” said 
Hope disconsolately. “ I could help if there 
were.” ' 

“You’d upset the canoe if you tried to pad- 


UP THE EIVEE 195 

die from the middle,’^ said Jim. How much 
further is it, Gil? 

‘‘ About a mile, I guess. Getting tired? ” 
N-no ; a little. It surely gets your muscles, 
doesn’t it? ” 

‘‘ It surely does! ” agreed Gil. It’s get- 
ting muscles I didn’t know I had I ” 

‘‘ Keep farther away,” warned Poke. I 
need lots of room when I paddle, and you make 
me nervous when you come so close. Get out 
or I’ll splash you, Gil! ” 

Don’t you try it, son! And for goodness’ 
sake don’t wriggle around so in your seat. If 
you upset we’ll lose the luncheon. I knew we 
oughtn’t to have let you take it.” 

‘‘ Isn’t it most time for luncheon now? ” 
asked Poke. ‘‘ We might just rest a while and 
have a sandwich, eh? ” 

‘‘Get out! It isn’t ten o’clock yet,” Gil 
jeered. 

“ Isn’t it? ” asked his chum pathetically. 
“ My arms feel as though it was twelve ! ” 

“ Eest awhile,” said Jeffrey from the stern. 
“ I can work it alone here. The current isn’t 
so hard now.” 

“ No, I’ll keep at it until I fall in a swoon,” 
answered Poke. ‘ ‘ One arm’s numb clear to the 


196 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


elbow now and doesn^t hurt so mucli. I dare 
say I’ll soon be beyond all pain.” 

Let’s paddle in to the bank,” Jim sug- 
gested, “ and take a rest. I’m just about all in, 
fellows.” 

So they turned the canoes to where the 
branches of the trees overhung a little stretch 
of pebbly beach and ran the bows of the craft 
ashore. Poke laid his dripping paddle across 
his knees, murmured Good night! ” and ap- 
parently sank into slumber. They were all, ex- 
cepting Jeffrey and Hope, glad of the respite, 
for paddling against the current, even for those 
accustomed to it, is no light task. Hope wanted 
to get out and ‘ ‘ explore, ’ ’ but her brother hard- 
heartedly commanded her to sit still and not 
overturn the canoe. 

‘‘ Isn’t the river perfectly beautiful! ” she 
exclaimed. 

There was a deep sigh from Poke. ‘‘It is 
indeed paradise,” he murmured. Presently 
he raised his head and looked about him, pass- 
ing a hand across his damp forehead. ‘ ‘ Where 
am I? ” he asked dazedly. “ Ah, I remember 
all ! I thought ’twas but a dream ! ’ ’ 

“ Well, suppose we dream some more,” 
laughed Jeffrey. “ After we get to Eiverbend 


UP THE BIVER 197 

we can rest as long as we want to. You fel- 
lows ready? ’’ 

‘‘Yes, come on,’^ answered Jim. “ Push her 
off, Gil.’^ 

“ Aren’t we going to have our luncheon 
now? ” asked Poke in injured surprise. 
“ Only the thought of food has kept me alive 
thus far. Let’s every one have a sandwich, 
fellows, just one miserable little sandwich.” 

“ Oh, come on. Poke,” said Gil. “ Get a 
move on. Jeff wants to buy his canoe some 
time to-day.” 

“ Well, just a half a sandwich,” pleaded 
Poke. “ Honest to goodness, fellows, I’m faint 
with hunger and fatigue. ’ ’ 

“ Shall I give him one? ” asked Jeffrey 
laughingly. 

“ Not a bite! ” replied Gil. “ He wouldn’t 
do another stroke of work if you fed him now. 
All he wants to do after he has eaten is lie down 
and go to sleep.” 

“ Gee, I want to do that now! ” ejaculated 
Poke, raising his paddle wearily and pushing 
the bow of the canoe from the sand. “ When 
I fall in a dead faint in the bottom of the canoe 
you fellows will be sorry you treated me so 
meanly. Jeff, will you push the basket this 
12 


198 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


way a little farther, please? I just want a 
smell of it to encourage me I ^ ’ 

A half-mile farther up the stream they began 
to encounter other crafts. Eiverbend was a 
veritable canoeing center and on fair days, and 
especially on Saturdays and holidays, hundreds 
of persons were to be found on the river there- 
abouts. As early as it was, the stream was 
pretty well populated as they drew near their 
destination. There were red canoes and blue 
canoes and white canoes and green canoes, and 
canoes of half a dozen other colors or tints. 
Many of them were really luxurious, with ma- 
hogany seats and embroidered cushions, while 
one craft that they passed, occupied by a man 
and a woman, was floating lazily down the 
stream with a graphophone playing in the bow. 
That was too much for Poke. He stopped pad- 
dling and stared at it most impolitely with open 
mouth. Finally he shook his head. 

IPs no use,’’ he said discouragedly. I 
can’t do any more. My mind is wandering. 
I’m seeing things and hearing music! ” 

Well, we’re just about there, I guess,” 
laughed Jetfrey. There’s a boat-house ahead 
of us now, although I don’t know that it’s the 
one we want. ’ ’ 


UP THE EIVER 


199 


‘‘ I will essay a few more faltering strokes 
tken,’^ replied Poke. “ Shall you have one of 
those music atfairs in your canoe, Jeff, or are 
you going to have a church organ? ’’ 

“ A music box, I guess. There ^s our place. 
Poke; see the sign? ’’ 

Poke shook his head. “ I see nothing 
clearly,’^ he muttered. ‘‘ All is a blur before 
me.’^ 

There’s Sandford’s,” called Gil from the 
other canoe which had drawn ahead. Shall 
we go over there now? ” 

“ Yes, let’s look at his canoes first. Then 
we’ll have something to eat, eh? ” 

“Eat!” shouted Poke. “Who said eat? 
Do my ears deceive me? ” 

“ Back water! ” commanded Jeffrey. 
“ That was a narrow squeak, Poke.” A pea- 
green canoe crossed their bow, while the single 
occupant of it asked them scathingly if they 
were blind. It required some care to cross the 
river, which here widened into a very respect- 
able basin, without scraping somebody’s paint, 
but it was at last accomplished and the two 
canoes sidled up to a long sloping float which 
presented a very busy scene. Canoes were be- 
ing brought from their racks in the big shed 


200 


CROFTON CHUMS 


and placed in the water, and dozens of persons 
were embarking or awaiting their turns. Pad- 
dles and cushions and lunch-boxes littered the 
float. Through the open doors of the boat- 
house canoe after canoe could be seen housed 
on racks in the dim interior. 

‘‘ Great Scott! exclaimed Jim. ‘‘ I didnT 
know there were so many canoes in the world 1 

They pulled their own craft onto the float 
and looked about them. Across the basin was 
another boat-house bearing the name of a rival 
maker. Near at hand a high bridge spanned 
the river. Beyond it the stream turned to the 
left and still more boat-houses showed through 
the leafless trees that lined the banks. 

‘‘ It^s just too — too jimmy for words!'’ 
cried Hope. ‘ ‘ It must be perfectly stunning up 
here in summer, mustn’t it? Jim, will you 
bring me up here sometime and paddle me 
around? ” 

“ We’ll all come up and make a day of it next 
spring,” said Gil. It’s really very jolly in 
warm weather, when the leaves are out, you 
know, and the birds are singing — ” 

Listen to him ! ” hooted Poke. ‘‘ Listen to 
old Gil rhapsodizing ! ‘ Trees and birds ’ ! 
Say, Gil, what you need is a bite to eat.” 


UP THE RIVER 201 

‘‘LeUs get busy, then,’’ said Jeffrey. “I 
wonder where the office is.’^ 

“ At the other end,’’ said Poke. ‘‘I’ll show 
you. Only — ” He stopped and viewed the 
luncheon basket thoughtfully. “ Only,” he 
went on, “ I don’t want to take any chances 
about losing that grub. Shall we take it with 
us? ” 

“ Oh, come ahead; no one’s going to steal it,” 
said Gil. “ Besides, if they do we can buy 
luncheon here. There are two or three places 
up there towards the station. ’ ’ 

“ That’s so,” responded Poke in relieved 
tones. “ Come on, then.” 

Buying a canoe was not as easy as it had 
seemed. Not that there was any scarcity of the 
articles, however. That was just where the dif- 
ficulty lay. There were so many of them, new 
and second hand, of all colors and sizes, that it 
took a lot of deciding. Poke had been very 
nearly right as to prices. In the end, after 
fully a half hour of viewing and discussing, 
Jeffrey made his decision. The canoe he 
selected was sixteen feet long, with a white cedar 
body and red cedar trim. It was painted crim- 
son and the varnish shone until the boys could 
almost see their faces in it. It had been dif- 


202 CEOFTON CHUMS 

ficult at tlie last to choose between crimson and 
blue in the matter of color, for the blue was a 
most enticing shade. But Gil reminded Jeff- 
rey that crimson and gray were the school 
colors and patriotism cast the deciding vote. 
Then came the extras; paddles, seat-backs and 
cushions. Jeffrey tried a half-dozen paddles 
at the edge of the float before he decided on the 
model he liked best and ordered two. One seat- 
back was all he wanted, and that was only in 
case Hope should honor the canoe with her 
presence. Three cork cushions completed his 
purchases and almost exhausted the fifty dol- 
lars that he had brought with him. (The canoe 
was thirty-seven dollars and a half.) Then 
came the subject of having a name printed on 
the bow, and Jeffrey was nonplussed. 

‘ ‘ I think that would be nice, don T you ? ’ ’ he 
asked the others. They agreed that it would 
and immediately suggested names. But none 
of them seemed to please Jeffrey and finally 
he told the man that they would think it over 
and let him know about it in an hour or so. 

‘‘ I suppose, though,’’ he said with a trace of 
disappointment in his voice, ‘‘I’d have to wait 
for it if you painted the name on.” 

The man replied that it would require sev- 


UP THE RIVER 203 

eral days to perform the work and dry the 
paint. 

‘‘ That means that I’ll have to come up again 
and get it, then. ’ ’ 

“ Oh, no, sir. We’ll deliver it for yon at the 
school. Just take it down with our launch.” 

‘‘ Well, then I guess I’ll have a name on it,” 
replied Jeffrey. “ And I’ll let you know in 
about an hour.” 

So they left matters that way and went back 
to their canoes for the luncheon basket. With 
this in hand they started out to find a suitable 
place to eat and at last succeeded, discovering 
a sunny nook a little way down the river where 
a row of willows shut them off from the ob- 
servation of the people in the passing canoes. 
Mrs. Hazard had provided liberally. There 
were sandwiches galore, tongue, ham and let- 
tuce; a thermos bottle filled with coffee that 
was as hot when Hope poured it into the drink- 
ing cups as when it had been put into the bot- 
tle; another thermos filled with milk; a dozen 
hard-boiled eggs; much cake and some ba- 
nanas. Poke heaved a sigh of contentment as 
Hope and Jim spread the contents of the basket 
out on two napkins. 

Great! ” he said. There’s as much as I 


204 


CROFTON CHUMS 


can eat there. I wonder, though, what the rest 
of you are going to do. ’ ^ 

“ We’ll show you in a minute,” said Gil. 
All gather around, ladies and gentlemen. 
Who wants milk and who wants coffee f ” 

‘‘I,” said Poke promptly. 

‘‘ Well, which? ” 

Both, please.” 

You’ll not get both. Which do you want, 
Hope? ” 

‘‘ Milk, please. Have a sandwich, Poke? ” 
‘*A sandwich? ” murmured Poke, helping 
himself liberally after determining the kind he 
wanted. ‘‘ Why put the ‘ a ’ in? ” 

“ Now,” said Jeffrey presently, when the 
first pangs of hunger had been assuaged, 
let’s talk about a name for the canoe, fel- 
lows.” 

“ Mayn’t I help too? ” asked Hope. 

‘‘ Why, of course; I want you to! ” 

‘‘ You said ‘ fellows,’ and I didn’t know.” 

‘‘ Excuse me,” Jeffrey laughed, I should 
have said ‘ Lady and fellows.’ I tell you how 
we’ll do it. We’ll start and go around the 
circle in turn. You’re first, Jim. What do 
you say? ” 


CHAPTEE XV 


THB ‘‘ MI-KA-NOO ’’ 

‘‘■y eT some one else start it,’’ said Jim. 
“I’m not much good at names.” 

“ All right. You’re next, Gil.” 

“ Well, how would ‘ Crofton ’do? ” 

‘ ‘ Punk ! ’ ’ said Poke promptly. ‘ ‘ What you 
want to call it, Jeff, is something — ” 

“ Kindly await your turn, Mr. Endicott,” 
said Jeff. “ What do you say, Hope? ” 

‘ ‘ I think something like — like ‘ Dragon 
Ely ’ would he pretty.” 

“ That’s not bad,” said Gil. 

“ Now, Poke.” 

“ ‘ Tippy,’ ” replied Poke promptly. 

“ It isn’t tippy,” denied Jeff. 

“ All canoes are tippy. Call this one ‘ Tippi- 
canoe,’ only call it ‘ Tippy ’ for short. Get 
me? ” 

There was a groan of disapproval and Jef- 
frey looked at Jim. 

“ I don’t know,” said Jim. “ I think what 

205 


206 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Hope suggested is pretty good. Or you might 
call it ‘ Kingfisher.’ ” 

‘‘ Yes,” said Jeffrey, ‘‘ or ^ Lotus.’ ” 

Yes, or ‘ Pink Carnation,’ ” jeered Poke. 
‘‘ Or ‘ Canary Bird.’ Why don’t you think of 
something appropriate? Now, ‘ Tippy ’ — ” 

‘ ‘ Is idiotic, ’ ’ interrupted Gil. ‘ ‘ I think you 
need a short name, Jeff; something with ‘ go ’ to 
it—” 

“ That’s it! ” exclaimed Jim, almost upset- 
ting his coffee cup. 

‘‘What’s it?” they asked. 

“‘Go To It’!” 

“ Eeally, that’s not bad,” commented Poke. 

The others agreed, all save Hope. Hope said 
she thought it was a bit slangy. 

“ But that’s the kind of name you want,” 
insisted Gil. “ Something snappy, Jeff.” 

“Why not call it ‘Poke’?” asked that 
youth. 

“ Yes, ‘ Slow Poke,’ ” amended Jim. “ But 
I don’t call that snappy. What’s the matter 
with something Indian? ” 

“ That’s the ticket! ” cried Poke. “ Jimmy, 
old hoy, you’re coming on. Let’s call it 
‘ Laughing Water.’ ” 

“ Or ‘ Minnehaha.’ ” 


THE MI-KA-NOO 


207 


Or ‘ Silver Heels/ ’’ 

‘‘ ‘ Eam-in-the-Face ! ’ 

‘‘ Oh, cut it out, Poke! Be sensible/’ This 
from Gil. I guess all the Indian names have 
been used up, Jeif. Why not call it ‘ Hope ” 
Hope laughed merrily at that, and Poke 
grinned. I wish you would,” he said 

eagerly. You certainly would get your 

share of joshing. Senator.” 

Well, it’s getting on, fellows, and we don’t 
seem to have found anything very good yet. 
Can’t any one think of anything? ” 

There was a depressed silence until Jim said 
feebly; ‘‘ Call it ‘ Noname.’ ” This met with 
the reception it deserved. Hope knitted her 
brows and forgot, in her absorption, to finish 
the slice of cake she held. Finally Poke broke 
the stillness. “ Who’s got a pencil? ” he 
asked. 

‘‘ Give it back? ” inquired Jeffrey. 

I certainly will,” replied Poke, viewing it 
in disgust. ‘‘ Now who’s got a piece of pa- 
per? ” 

Any other little thing you’d like? ” asked 
Gil, tossing him a box-lid. A twenty-dollar 
gold piece or a silk hat? ” 

Yes, I’d like silence,” said Poke severely. 


208 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


He began to write on tbe lid and the others, 
glad of a respite from thinking, watched him 
curiously. For a minute Poke scribbled and 
erased and frowned, but finally a satisfied smile 
dawned over his countenance. 

“ IVe got it,’’ he announced. Gil said all 
the Indian names had been used, my friends, 
but Gil, as usual, was wrong. Here, Jeff, is 
the name of your canoe.” 

He tossed the box-lid to Jeffrey. On it he 
had printed in big letters : 


MI-KA-NOO. 


What’s that mean? ” asked Jeffrey. Then 
it dawned on him and he burst into a laugh and 
handed the inscription on to Jim. “ That’s 
bully, Poke ! It really does look like Indian at 
first, too! ” 

‘‘ My Canoe,” Jim translated as he passed it 
on. ‘‘ How did you think of it. Poke? ” 

Poke waved his hand airily, signifying that 
the thing was too trivial to be worth attention. 

The only thing,” said Gil, with a grin, ‘‘ is 
that you’re pretty sure to call it ‘ Mike ’ for 
short.” 

‘‘Great!” laughed Jim. “You wanted 


THE MI-KA-NOO ’’ 209 

something short and snappy and there it is; 
Mike. You can’t beat it.’’ 

Hope was less enthusiastic about the name 
thau the others, and said she thought it would 
be a shame to call anything as pretty as the 
crimson canoe, “ Mike,” but Jeffrey was de- 
lighted with the suggestion. “ It will look 
bully when it’s painted on,” he declared. “ I 
suppose they’ll do it in gold, won’t they, Gil? ” 

‘ ‘ If you tell them to they will, I guess. Let’s 
get a move on, or we won’t get home before 
the game begins. Toss me another banana, 
Poke.” 

How many have you had already? ” asked 
his chum severely. 

Only one; honest.” 

^‘AIl right; catch. Who wants some more 
cake ? There are three bananas left, too. 
Have one, Jim? Any one else in the audience 
like a banana? Shove the basket over, Hope, 
and I’ll dump these things in. WLat time is 
it? ” 

After twelve,” replied Gil. “ We’ll have 
to hurry a bit.” 

It won’t take us twenty minutes to get back 
after we’re started,” said Jeffrey. “ We’ve 
got the current with us, you know. ’ ’ 


210 CROFTON CHUMS 

“'That is indeed painful news/^ grunted 
Poke. ‘ ‘ I hoped to be able to paddle back. ’ ’ 

“ Jeff/’ asked Hope as they retraced their 
steps, ‘ ‘ will you teach me to paddle sometime ? 
I’d love to know how. It isn’t hard, is it? It 
doesn’t look hard, anyway.” 

“ No, it isn’t hard, except when you’re going 
against the stream or the wind,” Jeffrey an- 
swered. “I’ll show you how any day you like 
after I get ‘ Mike.’ ” 

Hope made a face. “ I think that’s a per- 
fectly — perfectly suggy name, Jeff.” 

“ Suggy? What’s suggy? ” 

“ Horrid, of course.” 

“ I see; the antonym of jimmy.” 

“ I guess so,” replied Hope. “ I don’t be- 
lieve I know what an-an-anto — what that is, 
though. ’ ’ 

They returned to the .float, and while Jef- 
frey and Gil went on to the office to see about 
having the name put on the canoe, Jim and 
Poke launched the craft and made ready for 
the return trip. Then, as the others had not 
come back. Poke excused himself with the vague 
explanation that he thought he’d just look 
around a minute, and disappeared up the hill. 


THE ‘‘ MI-KA-NOO 


211 


Jeffrey and Gil returned presently and after 
they had waited several minutes for Poke that 
young gentleman sauntered into sight with a 
huge bag of peanuts from which he was in- 
dustriously eating. 

< < Pig I > > shouted Gil scathingly. 

‘‘ For that,’’ remarked Poke tranquilly, 
‘‘ you get none, my friend. Who wants some 
peanuts? ” 

It seemed that they all did, for Gil and Jim 
captured the bag by main force and made an 
equal distribution of its contents. As Jim re- 
marked a few minutes later, it was a lucky 
thing that they did not have to paddle going 
back, for paddling would have interfered seri- 
ously with eating the peanuts. As it was, they 
left a floating trail of shells all the way from 
Eiverbend to the boat-house at Crofton. 

Jeffrey and Hope returned to Sunnywood, 
but the others remained at school to await 
the time for the game with St. Luke ’s Academy. 
Poke declared that Jeffrey was going home to 
get more dinner, and showed a strong disposi- 
tion to accompany him. Gil and Jim, however, 
restrained him by force of arms. 

“ Oh, I don’t want anything myself,’^ he 


212 


CROFTON CHUMS 


said, ^ ^ but some one ought to go along and see 
that those two don ’t get any more. My — my 
motive, Gil, was quite disinterested. ’ ’ 

“ You’re coming back to see the game, aren’t 
you, Jeff? ” called Jim. 

“ Yes, indeed. So is Hope. And we’re go- 
ing to bring Lady if she will come,” answered 
Jetfrey. 

The three seated themselves on the steps of 
the gymnasium and watched Jeffrey go swing- 
ing along with the aid of his crutches, Hope be- 
side him suiting her steps to his. 

He gets along mighty well, doesn’t he? ” 
observed Gil. Gee, if I was in his shoes, fel- 
lows, I’d have a grouch all the time. Think 
of knowing that you’ve got to go through life 
like that! Br-r-r! ” 

‘‘ Think of not being able to play football or 
tennis or any of the things we do,” said Poke 
soberly. ‘‘ That’s what would get me, I 
guess.” 

He certainly can handle a canoe, though,” 
said Jim. 

“ And he told me last night that he could 
swim,” Gil added. ‘‘ In fact he seemed to 
think he could do that about as well as I can.” 


THE MI-KA-NOO ’’ 213 

‘ ‘ I should hope so ! ’ ^ exclaimed Poke. 
‘‘ You’re a punk swimmer.” 

“ Am I? I noticed that I had no trouble 
swimming all around you last summer, Pokey. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Shucks! I wasn’t well that day. You 
know I’d eaten too much breakfast.” 

‘‘You usually do,” replied Gil sweetly. “ I 
suppose you can swim like a fish, Jim? ” 

“ N-no, I can’t swim much; I mean I can’t 
do many fancy tricks like fellows I’ve seen. I 
can keep it up a long time, though. I swam six 
miles one day last summer.” 

“ Six miles! ” Poke whistled expressively. 
“ What for? ” 

“ Nothing; just to see if I could.” 

“ Weren’t you dead when you got through? ” 

“A little tired; not much. I swam out to 
the island first ; that ’s nearly a mile ; and then 
I went to the breakwater, which is a good two 
miles, and then back the same way. It makes 
a good swim.” 

“ Oh, yes,” said Poke carelessly, “ but a 
trifle short; what? Did you rest any? ” 

“ No, not to speak of. I stayed in the water 
all the time, but I rested a couple of minutes at 
the island and about as long as that at the end 
18 


214 CROFTON CHUMS 

of the breakwater. I didn’t stop at all coming 
back.” 

‘‘ Where’s this place you live? ” asked Gil. 
‘‘ Near here, isn’t it? ” 

‘‘Yes, just over there.” Jim nodded in the 
general direction of the coast. “ Only about 
thirty miles. Essexport, you know.” 

“ I’ve heard of it. Folks go there in sum- 
mer, don’t they? ” 

“ Some, but it isn’t a fashionable summer re- 
sort at all. A good many artists go there. 
You stumble over them all the time on the 
wharves and around the harbor. They sit 
under white umbrellas and paint any old thing 
they can find. They’re rather nice folks, 
artists.” 

“ I should think it would be fun,” said Poke 
vaguely. “ Are you going home in the sum- 
mer? ” 

Jim shook his head. “ I don’t know. You 
see, we’ve rented our house. We might go 
back for a little while, I suppose. I dare say 
it’s pretty hot here in summer.” 

“I’ll bet it is! ” said Gil. “ It was so hot 
last spring at commencement that we nearly 
died. Had to dress up in our best togs, you 
know, and make a hit with our relatives.” 


THE MI-KA-NOO 


215 


“ And other fellows’ relatives,” growled 
Poke. ‘‘ I nearly danced my poor little heart 
out that night, Gil. It was my fatal fascina- 
tion, Jim. The girls simply had to have a 
dance with me ! ’ ’ 

‘‘Dance!” scoffed Gil. “You don’t call 
what you do dancing, do you ? ’ ’ 

“ I certainly do,” replied Poke with dignity. 
“ It is the poetry of motion. Gil is envious,” 
he explained, turning to Jim. “ He dances 
like a trained bear on the end of a chain. Ever 
see one? Like this.” And Poke began to re- 
volve around and around on the landing in lu- 
dicrous imitation of a bear. Even Gil had to 
laugh at the performance. Then Poke de- 
clared that he had to have a drink of water and 
they sauntered over to Memorial, meeting a 
few late diners on the way. After that it was 
almost time to think of dressing for the game, 
and they returned to the gymnasium, loitered 
awhile on the steps and then descended to the 
locker-room and leisurely got into their togs. 


CHAPTEE XVI 


ME. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 

J EFFEEY and Hope failed in their plan to 
entice Mrs. Hazard to the game that after- 
noon. When they reached Sunnywood dinner 
was just over and Mrs. Hazard and Mr. Hanks 
were coming from the dining-room. 

‘‘ Did you have a nice time, dear? ” asked 
Hope’s mother. 

‘ ‘ Oh, just scrumptious ! ’ ’ Hope answered. 
“ And Jeff bought the darlingest, jimmiest 
canoe you ever saw! And it’s name is ‘ Mi- 
Ka-Noo.’ And Jeff is going to teach me to 
paddle, aren’t you, Jeff? ” 

“ If Lady doesn’t mind,” replied Jeff. Do 
you like canoeing, sir? ” he asked, turning to 
Mr. Hanks, who, during the conversation had 
been surreptitiously striving to edge his way 
past the group and reach the stairway. 

‘‘I — I have never tried it, Latham. But 
isn’t it — ^er — a bit unsafe? I’ve always 
216 


MR. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 217 

understood that canoes were — er — very un- 
stable boats.’’ 

“ Well, you bave to be careful in them,” Jef- 
frey allowed. But they’re not quite as bad 
as folks try to make out. As long as you can 
swim there ’s no danger, sir. ’ ’ 

“ I suppose not; no, not so long as you can — 
er — swim. I regret to say that swimming is 
an accomplishment I bave never mastered.” 

‘‘ I don’t know about this canoeing,” said 
Mrs. Hazard doubtfully. Hope can swim a 
little, but — ” 

<< Why, Lady, you know I can swim beauti- 
fully! I swam seventy-five strokes last sum- 
mer! ” 

Well, that would be enough to take you 
ashore anywhere on this river,” laughed Jef- 
frey. ‘‘ I don’t think you need be alarmed, 
Lady. I’U be very careful of her.” 

^ ‘ But — but can you swim all right yourself, 
Latham ? ’ ’ asked Mr. Hanks. 

‘ ‘ Oh, yes, sir, I get along better in the water 
than I do on land.” 

‘‘ Well, I suppose you can go, then, if you 
want to very much,” said Mrs. Hazard. “ But 
do be careful ; and sit very quiet. Are you go- 
ing this afternoon? ” 


218 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Oh, no, Lady. Jeff hasn’t got it yet; not 
until next week. He ’s having the name painted 
on it. This afternoon we’re going to the foot- 
ball game. We’re all going, aren’t we? ” She 
turned questioningly to the instructor. 

You are coming with us, aren’t you, Mr. 
Hanks? ” 

“ Er — why, thank you,” he stammered, 
but I have so much to attend to. Miss Hope. 
I — I think I won’t go. Much obliged. I — I 
must really get back to my work.” He moved 
toward the stairway, nodded embarrassedly 
and disappeared up the stairs. 

“ Well, you’re coming, aren’t you? ” Hope 
demanded of her mother. But Mrs. Hazard 
shook her head smilingly. 

‘‘Not to-day, dear. I’ve too much to do. 
I’ve told J ane she might go to the village and do 
some shopping, and — •” 

“ Then I shall stay at home and help you,” 
declared Hope cheerfully. “You won’t mind, 
will you, Jeff? ” 

“ Oh, but Jeff will mind! ” said Mrs. Hazard 
laughingly. “ He will mind terribly! And, 
besides, my dear, I don’t need you a bit. So run 
along and don ’t be late. ’ ’ 

“ There’s lots of time,” said Hope. “ Are 


ME. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 219 

you quite, quite sure there’s nothing I can do, 
Lady? ” 

Quite sure. So you go and see the foot- 
ball. Did you have luncheon enough? Don’t 
you want something now? ” 

“No, ma’am, we had plenty,” replied Jeffrey. 
“ In fact, we didn’t eat quite all of it.” 

“ We had a lot of peanuts, too,” laughed 
Hope. “ Poke bought them, and Jim and Gil 
took them away from him and we all ate them 
coming home. And, Lady, it’s perfectly beau- 
tiful at Eiverbend, and we saw thousands and 
thousands of canoes, and — ” 

“ Isn’t that a great many? ” asked her 
mother smilingly. 

“ Well, not thousands, but hundreds. Lady. 
We did see hundreds, didn’t we, Jeff? ” 

“ Well, let’s say dozens, Hope, and be on 
the safe side,” Jeff replied with a laugh. 
“ Sometime I’d like you and Hope to let me 
take you up there in the canoe. Lady, and show 
you how pretty it is. Sometime in the spring 
would be best, I suppose.” 

“ I should love to go,” replied Mrs. Hazard, 
“ but I’ll have to learn to swim first. Now run 
along to your football game. Is Jim going to 
play to-day, Jeff? ” 


220 


CROFTON CHUMS 


No, ma’am, I think not. At least, I’m 
afraid he isn’t.” 

“ Well, I was afraid he was,” Mrs. Hazard 
laughed. ‘‘It’s all in the point of view, isn’t 
it? Do you think you ought to walk so much, 
Jeff? You must be careful and not get too 
tired.” 

“ Oh, I don’t mind it. It’s just my shoulders 
that get sort of tired sometimes, but they soon 
feel all right again. I think I’ll go up and put 
some decent clothes on, Hope. It won’t take 
me very long. ’ ’ 

“ And I’m going to do the same,” Hope re- 
plied. “ And it will take me a full half-hour. 
So you needn’t hurry. We’ve got plenty of 
time, haven ’t we ? ” 

“ Over an hour,” Jeffrey replied. “ So you 
can just doll yourself all up, Hope.” 

“ Doesn’t he use awful language. Lady? ” 
asked Hope. “I’d be ashamed if I were a 
senator’s son, wouldn’t you? I’ll be all ready 
in just exactly half an hour, Jeff.” 

“ All right; I’ll be waiting for you.” 

When he reached the head of the stairs he 
noticed that Mr. Hanks’ door was partly open. 
It was usually closed tight when the instructor 
was inside, and Jeffrey wondered. And he 


MR. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 221 

wondered more a moment later when the sound 
of quick, nervous footsteps reached him. He 
paused a moment and listened. Back and 
forth paced Mr. Hanks, the length of the room, 
the tail of his coat appearing at the opening of 
the door each time as he turned. 

I wonder,’^ reflected Jetfrey, what the 
trouble is with Nancy. He sounds like a caged 
lion. I guess somebody must have turned in 
some pretty bad papers. Hope it wasn T me ! ’ ’ 
True to her promise, Hope was ready at the 
end of the half-hour, looking very neat and 
pretty in her blue dress. Jeffrey had changed 
his old clothes for a suit of dark gray, and they 
were a very nice-looking pair of youngsters as 
they left the cottage. Jeffrey said something 
complimentary about Hope^s gown, and Hope 
smiled demurely down at its trim folds. 

‘‘It is nice, isn’t it? ” she asked. “ I like 
blue better than any other color. I suppose I 
I ought to like crimson, oughtn’t I? Because 
' that’s the Crofton color. But I couldn’t wear 
i crimson, could I? Not with yellow hair.” 

“ Never mind,” laughed Jeffrey, “ you’ll 
I make an awful hit with the St. Luke’s fellows. 
I Their color’s blue, you see.” 
j “ Not really, Jeff? ” 


222 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


He nodded. ‘ ‘ Of course, their shade of blue 
isn’t like your dress, but they’ll know you’re 
for them, Hope. ’ ’ 

Hope tossed her head. ‘‘ They’ll know noth- 
ing of the sort. I shall borrow somebody’s 
flag and tie it around my neck! They won’t 
beat us, will they? ” 

‘‘ St. Luke’s? I don’t think so, but you can’t 
tell. Gil says we’re going to have a rattling 
good game, so I suppose that means that it 
will be a close one.” 

‘‘ I hope so. I don’t care how close it is as 
long as we win. That Gary boy can’t play to- 
day, can he? ” 

‘‘No, not for a good many days. He fixed 
himself for awhile, I guess. Wasn’t Mr. 
Hanks funny when you asked him to go with 
us? I thought he was going to fall in a faint.” 

“ I don’t see why, do you? It would do him 
good to get out of doors and forget his silly work 
now and then.” 

“ I guess it would. When I went upstairs 
he was walking back and forth in his room just 
like a lion in a cage at the zoo. I guess some- 
thing must be troubling him. ’ ’ 

“ Oh, that’s nothing,” said Hope. “ He 
often does that. You can hear him in the dining- 


ME. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 223 

room when you’re setting table or something. 
He does it sometimes for ten or fifteen minutes, 
and then he ’s as quiet as a mouse for hours and 
hours I I suppose it’s his writing, Jetf. He — ^ 
he is seeking inspiration.” 

‘‘ I hope he finds it before your carpet is 
worn out!” Jetfrey laughed. ‘‘I wonder 
what he is writing, Hope. ’ ’ 

I think it’s a book,” said Hope. 

“ What kind of a book? ” 

Hope shook her head. I don’t know. Per- 
haps — perhaps it’s a novel, Jetf.” 

‘‘A novel! Fancy Nancy Hanks writing a 
novel! ” Jetfrey laughed at the thought of it. 

‘ ^ I don ’t see why not, ’ ’ Hope demurred. ‘ ‘ I 
think he’s awfully smart, Jetf, don’t you? 
Don’t you think he knows a terrible lot? ” 
Y-es, I suppose he does, only — only he 
doesn’t look like a novelist, does he? ” 

I don’t think Sir Walter Scott looked much 
like a novelist, but he was one. And — and 
I don’t suppose all novelists can look the same, 
anyway. ’ ’ 

I suppose not. But I’ll bet you that book 
of his is some sort of a history or a Latin text- 
book. Why, Nancy wouldn’t waste his time on 
anything as — as flippant as a novel, Hope ! ” 


224 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


‘‘ I don’t think novels are flippant,” Hope re- 
plied rather indignantly. Yon don’t call 
Ivanhoe and David Copperfield and — and all 
those flippant, do yon? ” 

‘‘No, bnt I wasn’t thinking of that sort of 
novels. If that’s what he’s doing — ” 

“Yon can’t tell. He might be. If he is I 
do hope he will tell ns abont it when it’s done. 
Wonldn’t yon like to read it, Jeff ? ” 

“ I don’t know, I dare say. Anyhow, I know 
mighty well I’d rather read it than any old 
Latin hook he conld write ! ’ ’ 

They fonnd the grand-stand well filled when 
they reached the field, and after secnring seats 
they had to wait hnt a minnte or two before the 
visiting team appeared. Hope was relieved to 
find that the St. Lnke’s bine was a very light 
shade* of the color, althongh Jeffrey gravely as- 
snred her that bine was bine and that St. Lnke’s 
wonldn’t mind if she didn’t wear the exact 
shade. 

“ There’s Brandon Gary over there,” said 
Jeffrey sotto voce as he indicated the direction 
with his glance. “ I shonld think he’d feel 
pretty mean to be sitting np there not able to 
play.” 


MR. HANKS AS A NOVELIST 225 


Who is the nice-looking boy this side of 
him? asked Hope. The one leaning for- 
ward.’’ 

‘‘Joe Cosgrove. He’s baseball captain, you 
know. He is nice looking, isn’t he? They say 
he ’s a dandy player. ’ ’ 

“ I don’t care much for baseball, do you? ” 
said Hope. 

“ Crazy about it.” 

“ But you don’t like it as well as football, 
Jeff? ” 

“ I don’t know. I think I do. Perhaps one 
reason is that a fellow can see a baseball game 
and not freeze to death or get soaking wet. 
Still, come to think of it, I did get pretty well 
drenched once at a baseball game. I’d rather 
see a boat race, though, than either.” 

“I’ve never seen one,” said Hope. “ Not a 
rowing race, I mean. I’ve watched lots of 
yacht races, but I never can make out which 
boat is ahead. There are always so many of 
them. And lots and lots of them aren’t racing 
at all ; just following ; and I never know which is 
which. I suppose a rowing race isn’t like that, 
though. ’ ’ 

“ Not a bit. I’m going to try for the crew in 


226 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


the spring, but I don^t suppose I’ll make it. 
Anyhow, it’s fun trying, and I love to row. 
Here comes our fellows, Hope.” 

The cheer leaders were on their feet and in an 
instant the sharp cheer rattled out ; Crow, crow, 
crow, Crofton! Crow, crow, crow, Crofton! 
Crow, crow, crow, Crofton! Crofton! Crofton! 
Then came a cheer for St. Luke ’s, and a moment 
after some thirty devoted sons of that alma 
mater gathered together across the field and 
returned the compliment, making up in vigor 
what they lacked in numbers. Then Crofton 
lined her warriors across the gridiron, St. 
Luke’s scattered her defense over the oppo- 
site territory and Duncan Sargent kicked off. 


CHAPTER XVn 


THE GAME WITH ST. LUKB’s 

T hat kick-off was a fizzle. St. Luke’s got 
the ball on her twenty-five yards, ran it 
back ten and then her full-hack broke through 
the Crofton left side for twenty yards, and 
there was great joy where the handful of St. 
Luke’s supporters were gathered. After two 
tries had yielded but four yards the St. Luke’s 
captain and left half-back kicked to Arnold on 
Crofton ’s fifteen-yard line. A very consider- 
able little wind had come up since noon and it 
lengthened the kick. Arnold ran back fifteen 
yards before he was downed. Two plays were 
tried and Crofton was penalized for starting 
before the ball. After Arnold had broken 
through the center for four yards he kicked and 
a moment later the St. Luke’s captain started 
the Blue’s rooters, again by tearing off a fif- 
teen-yard run through center on a delayed pass. 
On the next play a St. Luke ’s back fumbled and 
227 


228 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


LaGrange recovered the pigskin for the Crim- 
son-and-Gray. 

Poke beat otf nine yards at St. Luke’s left 
end and Arnold followed with a plunge of five 
yards through the middle. Smith then failed 
to gain, and Arnold got off a poor punt which 
the St. Luke’s right end captured. On the 
first play the Blue’s quarter-back tried for dis- 
tance through the Crofton center, only to 
fumble and have Benson of Crofton recover the 
hall. 

Arnold kicked, and as Gil was interfered with, 
the ball was brought hack and Crofton was pre- 
sented with ten yards. On the next play Ar- 
nold made five yards, and then Poke shaking 
off his opponents, ran thirty-seven yards, plac- 
ing the ball within ten yards of the St. Luke’s 
goal line. Smith tried to gain on the right of 
the Blue’s line but failed, and a forward pass, 
Arnold to Poke, was intercepted by the St. 
Luke’s captain on his own four-yard line. He 
scampered and dodged back to his ten-yard line 
before he was brought down, with half the 
Crofton team sitting on and about him. On 
the first play the Blue’s captain fumbled while 
going through the line and Duncan Sargent 
grabbed the ball for Crofton on the nineteen 


THE GAME WITH ST. LUKE’S 229 

yards. Two plays by Arnold and Poke netted 
seven yards. Then, with Arnold back, a for- 
ward pass, Arnold throwing the ball to Poke, 
brought the first score. Poke caught the ball 
on the twelve-yard line and scampered over the 
last white mark before he was pulled down. 
The punt-out was a failure, the ball striking the 
ground. 

But Crofton cheered and made known her ap- 
proval. The playing for the rest of the first 
period was in the middle of the field, although 
at one time Arnold was forced to punt from be- 
hind Crofton ’s goal line, after a mess had been 
made of the handling of one of the blue cap- 
tain’s kicks. The quarter ended with the ball 
in St. Luke’s possession on her own forty-six- 
yard line. 

In the second period St. Luke’s was on the 
defensive. Fumbles enabled Crofton to get the 
pigskin to within twenty-five yards of St. Luke ’s 
goal line, where Benson, on a forward pass, 
ran over the goal line, only to be called back 
because Poke had held an opponent. Some two 
minutes later the period ended and the teams 
trotted off. 

The teams are pretty evenly matched,” 
said Jeffrey, and Gil was right about it be- 

14 


230 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


ing a stiff game. I guess we ’re a little heavier 
than they are, and I think our offense is bet- 
ter. One thing is certain, though, and that is 
that we’re away ahead of them at handling the 
hall. They made some awful fumbles in that 
last quarter, didn’t they? ” 

^ ‘ Yes, but it helped us, Jetf. I don’t see why 
that mean old thing of a referee wouldn’t let 
us have that last touchdown. Do you think 
that was fair? ” 

‘‘ Of course it was,” Jeffrey laughed. 
‘‘ Poke was holding one of the St. Luke’s fel- 
lows and the officials caught him. So we got 
penalized and lost our touchdown. Too bad, 
too, for that was a corking pass, and Benson 
handled it finely. There wasn’t a soul near him 
when he got the ball. ’ ’ 

Then it was Poke’s fault? ” asked Hope 
sadly. 

‘‘I’m afraid it was. I don’t suppose he 
meant to hold. A fellow gets excited and 
doesn’t realize sometimes. I guess Poke feels 
as badly as anybody about it. But never mind, 
we’ll trim them all right. We should get at 
least one more touchdown in the next two 
periods.” 

“ I hope we get a dozen,” declared Hope. 


THE GAME WITH ST. LUKE^S 231 


‘‘ And wasnT that run of Pokers perfectly jim- 
my? I guess we can forgive him for losing us 
that other touchdown, don’t you? ” 

Yes, especially as he made the first one. I 
wonder if Johnny will put in any substitutes 
now. ’ ’ 

“ I wish he’d let Jim play,” said Hope. 

‘‘Jim may make the team yet,” replied Jef- 
frey. “ Cosgrove is playing a mighty good 
game in Gary’s place, by the way. I wonder 
what Gary is thinking about it. Here they 
come again. Now let’s see. No, the team’s 
just the same, I guess.” 

Crofton was on the defensive throughout the 
whole of the third period, the St. Luke’s cap- 
tain having ordained it so when his long kick 
rolled to Crofton ’s twenty-yard line before Ar- 
nold recovered it. It was then that the Blue’s 
supporters took heart, and from across the grid- 
iron came cheer after cheer as St. Luke’s 
worked the ball by a series of plays in which 
three successful forward passes figured down 
to within eight yards of the Crofton goal line. 
St. Luke ’s looked really dangerous for the first 
time and on the Crofton side of the field her 
supporters watched uneasily as the St. Luke’s 
backs settled for the next play. It was an- 


232 


CROFTON CHUMS 


other forward pass and a sigh of relief went up 
from the Crimson-and-Gray as the ball was 
fumbled and went to Crofton as a touchback. 
Out to the twenty-five yards went the ball and 
Crofton put it in scrimmage. St. Luke’s made 
several other attempts in that period to get 
across her opponent’s goal line, but never again 
secured such another chance as the one she had 
wasted. 

The last quarter found Crofton forcing the 
playing and St. Luke’s again on the defensive. 
Arnold tried a goal from placement from the 
Blue’s forty-yard line, but the ball went wide 
of the posts. St. Luke’s chose to kick from 
behind the twenty-five-yard line, but it was not 
long before Crofton had the ball back in the 
Blue’s territory. Failure to gain ground at 
rushing caused Arnold to punt, and a substitute 
left half-back who had taken the place of the 
Blue’s captain a moment before, mutfed the 
ball. LaGrange fell on it for Crofton on St. 
Luke’s ten-yard line, and before St. Luke’s 
realized what had happened Poke tossed the 
pigskin on a forward pass to Gil at left end and 
the second touchdown was made. This time 
Sargent kicked the goal and Crofton ’s score was 
11. For the remainder of the contest the ball 


THE GAME WITH ST. LUKE^S 233 

hovered about the middle of the gridiron, St. 
Luke^s, recognizing defeat, being content to 
keep her opponent from approaching her goal 
line again. 

It had been a good game from a Crofton 
point of view, and, to quote Hope, a perfectly 
jimmy ’ ’ one for Sunnywood. Poke and Gil had 
played finely and had scored the only touch- 
downs that had been made. But it was Pokers 
work especially that brought them joy and sent 
the whole school away in a glow of enthusiasm. 
He had been far and away the most spectacular 
performer of the afternoon. He had contribu- 
ted the best individual work in carrying the 
ball, once having made a run of thirty-seven 
yards at St. Luke’s left end, and, later, one of 
forty-five yards around the enemy’s right end. 
Whether on the directing or the receiving end 
of the forward pass, he had been excellent. 
Crofton ’s first score had been made with Poke 
on the receiving end, while the second score had 
been the result of his accurate throw to Gil. 

Arnold, too, however, was a hero that day. 
The quarter-back had used the best of judgment 
in the selection of plays, while at ground gain- 
ing he had performed well. Several times he 
had tom through the St. Luke’s center for good 


234 


CROFTON CHUMS 


distances. His punting also had been good and 
the enemy’s hacks had found a great deal of 
difficulty in handling his kicks. LaGrange.at 
center had shown a wonderful nose for the hall, 
and his recovery of the pigskin which opened 
the way for the second touchdown had been a 
fine effort. Gil at end, Benson at full-back, 
Sargent at left guard and Smith at left half- 
hack all distinguished themselves that day. On 
the whole Crofton went home from the game 
very well satisfied with her team. Even John- 
ny’s countenance gave one the impression that 
he was pleased. And he was. The only place 
that was worrying the coach was the position of 
left tackle. Marshall had not been up to the 
rest of the line that day, and it was becoming 
more and more evident that a better man must 
be found for his place. 

There was great pride and much rejoicing at 
Sunnywood that Saturday night. Hope, could 
she have had her way, would, I am certain, have 
crowned Poke and Gil with wreaths of laurel! 


1 




CHAPTEE XVIII 


GAKY CHALLENGES 


T he canoe came on Wednesday. Of course 
by this time, as Gil bad predicted, it’s 
name bad been shortened to Mike,” wbicb 
was a very plebeian title for sucb a handsome 
craft. It was quite the best looking canoe in 
the school boat-house, although Brandon Gary 
and ‘ ‘ Punk ’ ’ Gibbs owned between them a craft 
that, when new, had been a marvel of white and 
gold. Now it was pretty well scratched and 
battered, and there were palpable patches show- 
ing along the bottom. Jetfrey was properly 
proud of his new possession, and spent most of 
Wednesday afternoon in or about it. It pad- 
died beautifully, he decided, sat well on the 
water and was altogether a treasure. He pad- 
died far down the river in the Mi-Ka-Noo and 
worked back in the golden glory of an autumn 
sunset, with the afterglow tingeing the surface 
of the little stream with coppery lights and the 
blade of his paddle trickling golden drops as it 

235 


236 


CROFTON CHUMS 


hung between strokes above the placid surface. 
In the boat-house he found an empty rack and 
saw the canoe carefully laid away on it, hold- 
ing his breath for fear the boatman might mar 
the glistening varnish of its sides. 

The next forenoon he and Poke hurried down 
to the boat-house between recitations. Sammy, 
the boatman, left his bench in the repair shop 
and lifted the Mi-Ka-Noo into the water for 
them. Jeffrey got into the stern and Poke set- 
tled himself in the bow and they started up- 
river. Poke was eager now to learn how to 
paddle and so there was a ten-minute lesson. 
By the time they had dropped Biscuit Island 
from sight he was doing very well, although he 
had not yet mastered the twist of the paddle at 
the end of the stroke. Jeffrey, however, kept 
the canoe in its course and Poke persevered in 
his efforts to get the hang of it,’’ as he said. 
Half a mile up-stream Jeffrey called a halt and 
they pulled the canoe in under the branches of 
the trees and rested awhile. Poke ascertaining, 
by a glance at his watch, that they still had a 
full half-hour before them. 

It’s funny how it tires your shoulders,” said 
Poke, as he dropped his watch back. ‘‘I be- 
lieve I can get onto it all right, though.” 


GAEY CHALLENGES 


237 


‘‘ Of course you can/^ Jeffrey responded. 
“ There’s no trick to it. It’s just a hard, 
steady drive and then a half-turn of the. blade 
before you take it out.” 

I know, but it’s that half-turn that puz- 
zles me. I get it sometimes, and then the next 
time I almost lose my paddle.” 

Want to try the stem going back? ” 

But Poke shook his head. I don’t think 
I’d better yet. I might put Mike onto the bank 
or into a snag. Here’s some one coming up. 
Looks like Bull Gary. Not only looks, but is. 
And Gibbs with him.” 

They watched the white canoe approach, 
drawing the bow of their own canoe further to- 
ward shore, for the stream was narrow here 
and Jeffrey wasn’t going to risk his paint. 
Gary was paddling in the stem and Punk 
Gibbs was in the bow. Gary recognized Poke 
when some distance away and waved his pad- 
dle to him. Poke waved back, and when the 
white craft was within speaking distance Poke 
called : 

Hello, Bull! Hello, Punk! That the same 
old mud-scow you used to have ? ’ ’ 

Gary turned his canoe toward the opposite 
side, Gibbs seized a branch and they came to 


238 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


a pause. Gary laid his paddle across his knees, 
said ‘‘ Phew! eloquently and grinned at Poke. 

Yes, same old mud-scow,’’ he said. 
Where ’d you get that thing. Poke? It looks 
like a fire-engine. Did they have any red paint 
left? ” 

This,” replied Poke, ‘‘ belongs to Latham. 
You know Latham, don’t you. Bull? Latham’s 
the chap who has the room you liked the looks 
of. Bull. Jeff, the other gentlemen is Mr. 
Gibbs. Punk is all right, but he’s terribly care- 
less about the company he keeps. What do you 
think of this for some canoe. Punk? ” 

“ She’s a peach,” replied Gibbs admiringly. 
‘‘ Where did you get her, Latham? ” 

Sandford’s,” answered Jeffrey. 

“ How do you pronounce that name? ” asked 
Gary, who had been frowning at it for a minute. 
Poke told him and the frown vanished. Gary 
chuckled. Pretty good, eh. Punk? Mi-Ka- 
Noo ! I thought it was some Indian gibberish. ’ ’ 
‘ ‘ Go pretty well ? ’ ’ asked Gibbs. 

Like a breeze,” replied Poke. She pad- 
dles herself. Fastest thing on the river except 
the varsity shell ! ’ ’ 

I’ll bet you this old tub can run rings 
around her,” grunted Gary. Even if she is 


GARY CHALLENGES 


239 

I two years old and has forty-eleven patches on 
i her! 

Oh, that’s been a good canoe in its day,” 

1 answered Poke airily. But they’re making 
’em better now, Bull. Look at the lines on this 
old top. Pretty neat, what? ” 

Too broad,” said Gary. ‘‘ She’s built for 
comfort but not speed. Poke.” 

Speed! Why, this canoe has the Empire 
State Express spiked to the rails! Speed! 
Honestly, Bull, you pain me.” 

Gary grinned. ‘‘We’ll race you back to the 
■ boat-house,” he offered. “If we don’t beat 
I you by half a dozen lengths I — I’ll — ” 

“ Apologize,” suggested Poke. “ We accept 
‘ your challenge, sir.” 

“ But, Poke,” said Jeffrey, “ they’re bound 
to beat us.” 

“ Of course we are,” Gary laughed. “ La- 
tham’s got a lot more sense than you have. 
Poke.” 

‘ ‘ He is thinking of the fact that I am a very 
poor canoedler,” said Poke. “ This is only the 
second time I’ve ever tried it. But that doesn’t 
matter because, as I have previously remarked. 
Bull, this canoe paddles herself. Turn your 
derelict around and get ready. ’ ’ 


240 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Don’t you want me to take the stern? ” 
asked Gibbs. You paddled all the way up.” 

Pshaw, I’m not tired,” answered Gary. 

Let the bow come around.” 

‘‘ Eight-0 1 ” cried Poke as the two canoes lay 
side by side. Give the word, Bull.” 

‘‘All right. Are you ready? ... Go! ” 

Off they went, all four paddles digging hard. 
Poke was apparently trying to lift the bow of 
the Mi-Ka-Noo out of the water in his wild ef- 
forts, and Jeffrey called to him to slow down. 

‘ ‘ Longer strokes. Poke, and make them tell ! 
That’s it ! ” 

For a moment during that first excited spurt 
the two canoes were in danger of colliding, but 
Jeffrey managed to swing away and in that in- 
stant the white canoe gained a slight lead. 

In some places the channel was scarcely wide 
enough to allow the two canoes to travel side 
by side, since there were many snags along the 
banks. And so when the white canoe took the 
lead Jeffrey was content to let it keep it until 
they had passed the next turn and the channel 
widened. But the Mi-Ka-Noo hung close to 
the stem of the other craft in spite of Gary’s 
strenuous paddling, and presently, when the 
boat-house came into sight ahead, Jeffrey 


GAEY CHALLENGES 


241 


passed the word and slowly the Mi-Ka-Noo 
crept up foot by foot until it was even with its 
competitor. 

Poke was not yet a scientific paddler, hut he 
had plenty of muscle, meant to beat Gary if 
such a thing were possible and so toiled like a 
hero in the bow. At the stem Jetfrey^s experi- 
ence made up for the fact that he hadn’t the 
strength to put into the strokes that Gary had. 
But it was, I think, the Mi-Ka-Noo that won 
its own race, for the crimson canoe was un- 
doubtedly faster than the white one. Some 
fifty yards from the boat-house float the Mi- 
Ka-Noo ’s curving prow drew away from the 
rival craft. Then Jeffrey, crouching at the 
stem, was even with the center of the white 
canoe, and Gary, paddling madly and grunting 
with every stroke of his flashing blade, called 
on Gibbs for a spurt. 

Come on. Punk! Get into it! Make her 
go! ” 

Gibbs tried his best, but his strokes when they 
grew faster grew also weaker, and the crimson 
canoe gained steadily until there was open 
water between her stern and the white bow. 

‘‘ Not too fast! ” warned Jeffrey. ‘‘ Make 
them hard. Poke! ” 


242 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


And Poke, who was getting excited by the 
prospect of victory, steadied down again. Then 
Gibbs ‘‘ caught a crab ’’ with his paddle, Gary 
lost his temper and called him names and the 
Mi-Ka-Noo shot past the float a good length 
and a half ahead! 

Poke subsided over his paddle and fought for 
breath while Jetfrey, hacking water and pad- 
dling, turned the canoe about and went hack to 
the float. 

‘‘ I guess this one’s a hit faster than yours, 
Gary,” said Jeffrey. She sits out of the 
water more, I think. ’ ’ 

But strangely enough Gary had an atfection 
for his battered craft and was up in arms at 
once. 

‘‘ It wasn’t a test of the canoes,” he said in- 
dignantly. This one is twice as fast as yours. 
If Punk hadn’t nearly lost his paddle we’d have 
shown you. Besides, I was tired. You fellows 
had been resting up there.” 

Poke lifted his head, gave a gasp for breath 
and said : 

‘‘ You couldn’t have heat us if you’d just got 
out of bed. Bull.” 

“ Couldn’t I? I’ll row you again any time 


GAEY CHALLENGES 


243 


you like ; if I can find some one to take the bow/’ 
he added with a disgusted glare at Gibbs. 

Gibbs grinned and winked at Poke. What 
you want in the bow, Bull,” be said, is a 
gasoline motor! ” 

I tell you what I’ll do with you,” offered 
Poke quietly. I’ll race you Saturday morn- 
ing up-stream from the old bridge to the land- 
ing here. You take any canoe you like and I’ll 
do the same. It isn’t the canoe. Bull, it’s 
science that counts! ” 

Science! ” scoffed Bull. Why, you 
couldn’t paddle that far to save your life! ” 

Don’t let that worry you,” Poke replied 
soothingly. Will you try it? ” 

‘‘ What would be the use? You say yourself 
that you’ve never paddled a canoe before.” 

I know, but I’m awfully quick to learn, 
Bull. I’m a clever little lad that way. What 
do you say, now? Try it? We’ll start at the 
old bridge and I’ll beat you to the boat-house 
here. If I don’t get here at least a length ahead 
of you I’ll black your shoes for you on the front 
steps of Mem! ” 

I hope you lose,” said Gibbs vindictively. 
Bull’s shoes need blacking most of the time.” 


244 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


‘‘All riglit/^ said Gary. “I’ll race you. 
And if I don’t beat you I’ll — I’ll — ” 

“ Careful now! Don’t say anything you’ll 
be sorry for! ” laughed Poke. 

“ — I’ll black your shoes! ” 

“ Done, old scout! It’s a bargain. You fel- 
lows are witnesses.” 

“ Saturday morning, you said. What 
time? ” 

“ Oh, say eleven; or later, if you like,” re- 
plied Poke. 

“ Eleven’s all right for me. And I don’t 
have to use this canoe unless I want to.” 

“Use any canoe you like and as many as 
you like as long as they don’t have motors in 
them. We’re to start at the old bridge and fin- 
ish here at the corner of the float. And if I 
get here first you black my shoes. And if you 
get here first I’m to black yours. Eight? ” 

“ Yes,” said Gary; and Jeffrey and Gibbs 
nodded. 

“ And there’s one other thing,” said Poke. 
“ I want a good job done. Bull; no skimping the 
heels, you know! ” 

Gary grinned. “ If you don’t get your shoes 
blackened until I do them. Poke, they’ll be 
sights.” 


CHAPTER XIX 


POKE ADVEETISES 

TTTHAT made you do such a silly thing? ” 
▼ ▼ asked Jeffrey of Poke as they hurried 
back to Academy Hall. ‘‘You know very well 
he can paddle faster than you can.’^ 

‘ ‘ Ah, ^ ’ replied Poke gravely, ‘ ‘ the race is not 
always to the swift, Jeff.^’ 

“ Well, a canoe race is. You’d better put in 
all your spare time to-day and to-morrow prac- 
tising. You’ll have to learn to keep your canoe 
straight first of all. Poke.” 

“ I shall take several lessons. I engage you 
now to impart to me all the knowledge you 
have, Jeff, of the gentle art of canoedling. If 
I can get the hang of that twist I’ll be all right.” 

But Jeffrey shook his head. “ He will beat 
you to a frazzle,” he said dejectedly. “ We 
won to-day because our canoe was the faster of 
the two. Gary is a good paddler, and he’s as 
strong as an ox.” 

“ Tut, tut, my tearful friend! I have the 

16 245 


246 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


strength of a team of oxes — I mean oxen. 
I’m like a horse, Jeff; I don’t know my own 
strength yet.” 

‘‘Well, you’ll know it Saturday forenoon! 
Of course you can use Mike if you want to, but 
I think you’d better take one of the shorter 
canoes ; it would be lots easier to handle. ’ ’ 

“ I mean to. I mean to take the shortest and 
lightest one I can find. Can you give me a les- 
son after football practice this afternoon, 
Jeff? ” 

“ Yes, but you’ll be too tired, won’t you? ” 

“ I never tire,” replied Poke grandly. 
“I’ll meet you on the gym steps at five sharp.” 

“ It will be almost dark by that time,” Jef- 
frey objected. 

“ Never mind. We’ll take a lantern, Jeff. 
Maybe, though, we can start before five. You 
be there at a quarter to. Or, better still, you 
go down to the boat-house and get your canoe 
over and ready, and I will come as soon as I 
can skip off. How’s that? ” 

“ That’s better. I’ll be all ready for you at 
four-thirty, and you get there as soon as you 
can. I’ll put you in the stern this time.” 

“ All right. I wonder how a little resin 


A 


POKE ADVEETISES 247 

would go on my hands. They’re getting full of 
blisters ! ’ ’ 

Poke’s challenge created quite a sensation at 
dinner time. Gil told him he was a chump, and 
Jim, without actually saying so, confirmed the 
judgment. Only Hope refused to see defeat in 
prospect. 

Of course you can beat him! ” she declared 
cheerfully. I think Brandon Gary is a per- 
fectly horrid boy ! ’ ’ 

“ That doesn’t alter the fact that he’s a 
pretty good chap with the paddle,” said Gil 
dryly, or that Poke doesn’t really know one 
end of a canoe from the other. ’ ’ 

‘‘ Nobody does,” replied Poke untroubledly, 
passing his plate for a second helping of vege- 
tables. They’re exactly alike! ” 

‘‘ Well, we will all be there to see you finish,” 
laughed Jim. 

And we’ll all be .there to see him black Bull 
Gary’s shoes,” added Gil. 

Poke viewed him sorrowfully. It pains me 
deeply, Gil, to find you have so little faith in me. 
I used to think you were my friend.” 

‘‘You can show him all about rowing a canoe, 
can’t you, Jetf? ” asked Hope anxiously. “ I 


248 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


should think if he practised hard to-morrow 
he’d just beat that Gary hoy all to bits ! ” 

‘ ‘ There will be very little left of him but bits 
after the race,” said Poke. ‘‘ I feel sorry for 
him, fellows; I actually do.” 

The rest hooted. 

Poke proved a diligent pupil that afternoon. 
Jeffrey gave him the stern paddle and Poke 
labored hard with it. And by the time darkness 
drove them back to the boat-house Poke had 
actually mastered the trick of holding the canoe 
straight after the stroke. The next day, which 
was Friday, there were two sessions on the 
river, one in the morning, between Latin and 
English recitations, and one again after prac- 
tice in the late afternoon. 

“ You really did very well,” said Jeifrey as 
they went back to Sunnywood through the chilly 
twilight. ‘ ‘ If you can do a little bit better to- 
morrow you may stand a chance of finishing 
pretty well.” 

I shall win,” replied Poke with deep con- 
viction. 

By Friday noon the entire school was in pos- 
session of the fact that Gary and Endicott were 
to have a canoe race and the fellows were dis- 


POKE ADVERTISES 


249 


cussing the event with much interest and amuse- 
ment. It was no secret that Poke was a veri- 
table tyro at the paddle, but every one who knew 
Poke was certain that in some way, by luck or 
pluck or sheer impudence, he would give his op- 
ponent a hard race. To make sure, however, 
that the world at large should know of the 
event, Poke himself printed out and posted on 
the notice board in Academy Hall a highly al- 
luring announcement, which read as follows : 

EXTRAORDINARY SPORTING EVENT! 

EXCITING CANOE CONTEST BETWEEN TWO 
INTREPID MEMBERS OF THIS 
SCHOOL ! 

At eleven o’clock on Saturday morning Mr. Bran- 
don Gary and Mr. Perry Endicott will participate in 
a Canoe Race to decide the Championship of Crofton 
Academy. The start will he made at the Old Bridge 
near Saunder’s Farm and the contest will finish at 
the Boat-House float. According to the terms of the 
Contest, the Loser is to black the shoes of the Winner 
on the steps of Memorial Hall immediately after the 
conclusion of the Race, the Loser to provide his own 
Blacking and Brushes and not to skimp the Heels. 
For further particulars, arrangement of Special 
Trains, excursion rates, etc., see Daily Papers I 
COME ONE! COME ALL! 


250 


CROFTON CHUMS 


Gary didn’t altogether approve of that notice. 
It sounded as though Poke meant to make a 
spectacle of him, although he couldn’t just see 
how that was to be accomplished. The silly 
chump can’t paddle a canoe to save his neck,” 
he confided to a friend. So what does he 
mean by all this nonsense? ” 

‘‘ They say he’s been practising three or four 
times a day,” replied the other. 

He will need more practice than that if he 
is going to heat me,” grunted Gary. “ I’ve a 
good mind to tear that notice down.” 

But he didn’t, and the notice continued to 
provide mirth for the passers. On Friday 
afternoon a complication arose and threatened 
to put an end then and there to the contemplated 
event. Johnny Connell put his foot down. 

“ Look here, Endicott,” he said in the gym- 
nasium before afternoon football practice, 
“ don’t you know we’ve got a game with Fraw- 
ley’s to-morrow? ” 

Of course I know it, Johnny. Why? ” 

‘‘ Then you cut out this canoe race business, 
my boy. I’m not going to have you get tired 
and go stale at this time of the season.” 

But, Johnny — ” 


POKE ADVERTISES 251 

Cut it out, I tell you ! If you donT 1^11 see 
Sargent and you ^11 get in trouble.’’ 

Poke thought hard for a moment. Then he 
drew the coach aside and there ensued a whis- 
pered conference in a corner of the locker room, 
during which a smile crept into Johnny’s face, 
a smile that finally became a full-fledged grin. 

Oh, well, all right, if that’s it,” he said at 
last. But mind you don’t get tired, now.” 

I won’t,” Poke promised. “ And don’t 
you say a word to any one, Johnny. If you do 
you’ll spoil the whole show.” 

‘‘ I won’t. What time’s this race to be? ” 

Eleven sharp, from the old bridge down the 
river.” 

Johnny chuckled. I guess I’ll have to see 
it,” he said. 

That evening Jeffrey and Jim accompanied 
Gil and Poke to Plato Society. It was not a 
business meeting to-night and there were quite 
a few invited guests present. It was too cold 
to sit out of doors and so the social room was 
filled to its capacity. As usual, there was music 
and the evening passed very pleasantly. Both 
Jeffrey and Jim were introduced to a number 
of fellows they had not met before, and each had 


252 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


a very good time. Poke’s appearance was the 
signal for wild applause, and the others had a 
good deal of fun with him over to-morrow’s 
canoe race. Later on Gary came in, and he, 
too, was hailed with cheers, although as he had 
never been very popular with the other member^ 
of the society, his advent caused less of an ova-t 
tion. 

Gary had accepted his punishment with smil- 
ing indifference, and at first the school at large 
had been inclined to sympathize with him. But 
his attitude had soon changed that. No longer 
on the football team, and with no prospect of re- 
joining it this fall, he pretended a vast contempt 
for it and frequently predicted defeat in the 
Hawthorne game. For some unknown reason 
his resentment appeared to he against Duncan 
Sargent and Johnny Connell instead of Mr. 
Hanks or the Principal, and he was forever 
criticizing the former’s efforts at leadership and 
coaching. If he felt any anger against Mr. 
Hanks — and I am inclined to believe that 
he did not — he never betrayed it. Having 
learned his lesson, Gary was quick to profit by 
it, and no member of his classes was any more 
docile and well-behaved than he. 

The Platonians tried to get Poke and Gary 


POKE ADVEETISES 


253 


together that evening and have them talk on the 
subject of the race, but each fought shy of the 
other, although each seemed willing enough to 
talk about it when the other was out of hearing. 

“ He hasn’t the ghost of a show,” declared 
Gary. I don’t know what his game is. I 
guess he just wants to make a sensation. Why, 
he never paddled a canoe in his life until the 
other day! ” 

I don’t believe that,” said some one. 
‘‘ Who says so. Bull? ” 

‘‘ He told me so himself,” replied Gary. 
And it was a tribute to Poke ’s veracity that no 
one suggested a doubt after that. Poke when 
baited waved a hand airily and shrugged his 
shoulders. 

‘‘I’m sorry for Bull,” he said with regret in 
his voice. ‘ ‘ I suppose I shouldn’t have led him 
into it. But, after all, it’s just a little fun. He 
will get over his disappointment in time. ’ ’ 

His audience chuckled and winked. 

“ But they say. Poke,” said one of his hear- 
ers, “ that you don’t know how to paddle.” 

“ Don’t know how to paddle ! Me? Well, if 
you want to believe everything you hear, that’s 
not my fault. Without desiring to appear con- 
ceited, fellows, I think I may lay claim to being 


254 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


the nicest little paddler in this state, if not in the 
country. I can paddle with my eyes shut and ■ 
one hand tied securely behind my back. I am 
the only successful exponent of the Bob Cook 
stroke.’’ 

‘ ‘ That’s a rowing stroke, you crazy chump I ” * 

‘‘What of it? I have adapted it to canoe- | 
ing,” replied Poke calmly. “ It is the stroke | 
with which I shall win to-morrow’s classic ^ 
event, gentlemen. I trust that you will all be 
on hand to see how it is done.” 

“ We’ll be on hand to see how you are done,” 
a fellow laughed. “ Honestly, Poke, you’ve 
got more cheek than any fellow in the country ! ’ ’ 

“ I? ” said Poke with a demure smile. “You 
surprise me. It shows how you misjudge my 
character, Tom. I am a modest little violet, did 
you but know it.” 

“We didn’t but know it. Poke,” replied Tom. 

“ The kind of a violet he means,” said an- 
other, ‘ ‘ is about the size of a soup plate, is yel- 
low and grows in the sun.” 

“ Get out,” said Poke, “ that’s a forget-me- 
not! You’d better go back to the Junior Class ■ 
and study your botany again.” 

“ Well, we’ll all be on hand to-morrow morn- 


POKE ADVERTISES 


255 


ing, 
you 
set I 


Poke, to root for you. And, say, Poke, if 
lose, you know, Vll lend you my blacking 


CHAPTER XX 


AN EAKLY MOENING PKACTICE 

P OKE possessed the ability to awake in the 
morning at approximately whatever hour 
he had decided upon the night before, a most 
convenient gift that saved the price of an alarm 
clock. On Saturday Poke made use of this 
ability and was out of bed long before any one 
else in the house was stirring and out of the 
house without having awakened even Gil. It 
was fortunate that he had put a sweater on 
under his jacket, for the morning was cloudy 
and chill as he set oft along the road toward the 
school and the river. But early as he was, Sam- 
my was ahead of him at the boat-house. The 
latter was just unlocking when Poke arrived, 
and he displayed an unflattering surprise at his 
appearance. 

‘‘ Likely you been up all night,’’ he said, 
struggling with a yawn as he ushered Poke into 
the house. 

25& 


AN EABLY MOENING PRACTICE 257 

Had your breakfast, Sammy? Poke 
asked. 

“O’ course I have,” replied the boatman in- 
dignantly. “ Most time for dinner it is now.” 

“ Wish I had,” sighed Poke. “ What’s the 
smallest and lightest canoe you’ve got, 
Sammy? ” 

“ I dunno'. There’s all kinds here. Take 
your pick o ’ ’em. ’ ’ 

“No, you show me, Sammy. I don’t know 
much about the things.” 

Sammy walked along the racks, chin in hand, 
mumbling. Finally, 

‘ ‘ Here be it, ’ ’ he announced, placing his hand 
on a green canvas canoe. “ Light and short, 
sir, and paddles itself. ’ ’ 

‘ ‘ All right. Put her over, Sammy. ’ ’ 

“ Be you goin’ out now? ” asked the boatman 
in surprise. 

“ Of course. A little exercise before break- 
fast, you know. I’m troubled with dyspepsia. 
Doctor’s orders, Sammy.” 

“ You be over young to have dyspepsy,” said 
Sammy, shaking his head disapprovingly. 
‘ ‘ Too many sweets, likely. What kind o ’ pad- 
dle, now ; double or single ? ’ ’ 

“ Single, please. That’s the ticket. See you 


258 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


later, Sammy.’’ And Poke dipped his blade 
and leisurely headed down-stream. If his pur- 
pose was to practise for the race he gave but 
small indication of the fact, for he only put 
his paddle in the water when the slow current 
threatened to send him toward the banks. 
Presently he had passed under the bridge at 
Birch Island and was out of sight. Sammy, 
who had watched from the float, turned and 
ambled back to the work-shop, shaking his head. 

‘‘It’s puttin’ a lot o’ rich victuals in their 
stummicks as does it,” he muttered as he set 
about lighting the stove. “ Dyspepsy be the 
curse o’ the age. That,” he added as he felt 
a twinge in his knee, “ that an rhumatics.” 
He dropped some fresh sheet-glue in the glue 
pot, set it over the fire and glanced out the win- 
dow. “ ’Twill be soon clearin’,” he mur- 
mured. “ Likely I’d best finish paintin’ that 
canoe so ’twill dry.” 

It was about half an hour later that he heard 
a noise at the float and saw Poke lifting his 
canoe out of the water. Poke had acquired 
very red cheeks and a hearty appetite, but 
whether he had acquired more skill at paddling 
remained to be seen. 

“ You be soon back,” observed Sammy, put- 


AN EARLY MORNING PRACTICE 259 


ting his head out the shop door. “ Likely you 
be thinkin’ some o’ breakfast by now.” 

‘‘I’m thinking of nothing else, Sammy,” 
replied Poke heartily. “ And, Sammy, I want 
you to do me a favor.” 

The boatman immediately looked dubious. 
He didn’t believe overmuch in doing favors. 
But Poke’s next action cleared his face. Poke 
put his hand in his trousers pocket and brought 
out a bright quarter. 

“I’m going to have a race with a fellow at 
eleven o’clock,” he went on, “ and I want this 
same canoe. See that I get it, will you*? And 
here’s something for your trouble.” 

“ That be easy,” replied Sammy, “ and I’ll 
not be taken siller for ’t.” But he did never- 
theless, slipping the quarter into the pocket of 
his overalls even as he spoke. “ Leave it to 
me, sir, an’ ’twill be here when you come.” He 
lifted the green canvas canoe and placed it 
athwart a couple of horses in the shop. 
“Likely,” he added, “it be in need o’ re- 
pairin’.” 

Poke just barely got into chapel in time. 
Afterwards Gil and Jim and Jeffrey were curi- 
ous to know where he had been. 

“I’ve been on the river,” replied Poke. “ I 


260 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


thought it would be a good idea to have a sort 
of dress rehearsal, you see/’ 

Gil viewed him suspiciously. Finally, ^ ‘ Look 
here, Poke,” he said, ‘‘ is this on the level, this 
race? ” 

‘‘ No, on the river,” replied Poke flippantly, 
and you know they’re never quite level.” 

Do you mean,” asked Jeffrey, “ that you 
went down at six o’clock and paddled over the 
course? ” 

Something like that. But it was before 
six, I think. Say, you chaps, for the love 
of Mike, walk up, will you? I’m just about 
starved to death ! I came mighty near nibbling 
the varnish off the settee in chapel. This be- 
fore-breakfast exercise is great stuff, I tell you. 
You ought to try it, Jeff. You never eat any- 
thing to speak of. Get into your little canoe 
some morning and paddle a couple of miles and 
just see how it tones you up. It’s marvelous! 
Anybody got any chocolate about their person? 
Or a slab of chewing gum? Or any other little 
thing that will keep life in my starving body? ” 
But pobody had. Jim offered a cough-drop 
from the comer of his waistcoat pocket, but 
after looking it over Poke refused it indig- 


AN EAELY MORNING PRACTICE 261 

nantly. ‘ ‘ I can get all the dirt I want without 
having to take paregoric with it/’ he said. 

Gil had gotten it into his head that there was 
something ‘‘ fishy,” as he put it, about the race, 
and tried his best to get Poke to confess to some 
scheme of villainy. But Poke only looked hurt 
and injured and said he was sorry that a fel- 
low he had always liked and respected should 
entertain such doubts as to his integrity. How- 
ever, as he said most of it with his mouth filled 
with breakfast, the full effect was lost. 

But I am certain that the reader is quite as 
interested in the race and as anxious to wit- 
ness it as was the school in general; although 
I trust he does not share Gil’s miserable sus- 
picions ; and so I will hurry on to the appointed 
moment. Long before eleven o’clock practi- 
cally every canoe, skiff and tub in commission 
was on the water and the boat-house was 
emptier than it had ever been since spring. 
Sammy was dazed and indignant. Some few 
fellows who did not trust themselves to man- 
age an oar or paddle elected to see the contest 
from the bank, and the more energetic of these 
got away early and walked down to the starting- 
point. Most, however, were satisfied to see the 
16 


262 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


finish of the race from the stone bridge over 
Birch Island or from the float itself. 

Now for a thorough understanding of this 
terrific contest it is encumbent on the reader to 
know a little about the course of the river. 
What Poke called the old bridge was a wooden 
structure which crossed the river about half 
a mile below the school as the crow flies and 
about a mile as the river runs. For the river 
turns thrice in that distance, curving once to 
the north-west in a wide sweep and then again 
to the south-east and finally a third time to- 
ward the west. It describes a giant S, with the 
upper loop, viewed from the school float, round 
and large and the lower loop smaller and flat- 
tened. After finishing the second loop the 
river meanders south-westerly in a generally 
straight direction. Imagine, then, the start of 
the race to be at a point about at the middle of 
the top curve of the S and the finish at a point 
just beyond the final end of the letter. WTiat, 
then, would have been scarcely more than a 
mile could one have walked the distance in a 
straight line, was fully twice the distance by 
boat. And a mile against the current is no 
light feat for one whose canoeing experience has 


AN EAELY MOENING PEACTICE 263 

stretched over such a small space of time as a 
week. 

Both contestants were on hand early at the 
boat-house. At twenty minutes to eleven Poke 
stepped majestically into the Mi-Ka-Noo and, 
in company with Gil, Jim, Jeffrey and Hope, 
put off for the starting-point. Behind the Mi- 
Ka-Noo bobbed the little green canoe that Poke 
had chosen in the morning. The Mi-Ka-Noo 
was pretty well loaded but stood the ordeal 
beautifully. Poke was calm and heroic, Gil sus- 
picious, Jim frankly amused, Jeffrey anxious 
and Hope so excited that she could scarcely sit 
still. She did, however, because Jim nipped 
every wriggle in the bud, so to speak. Accom- 
panying the Mi-Ka-Noo, for all the world as 
though it was the Eoyal Barge of an Eastern 
Potentate — the expression is Poke’s, not mine 
— went a flotilla of canoes and boats filled with 
laughing boys in a very holiday mood. Poke 
was the recipient of much advice and the butt 
of many jokes, but Poke this morning was abso- 
lutely impressive. I have said that he was 
calm, but that scarcely expresses the quiet, al- 
most haughty, determination of his counte- 
nance. Hope was positively fascinated by him 


264 


CROFTON CHUMS 


and deliberately seated herself with her face to-- 
ward the stern, so that she could feast her eyes^ 
on the noble hero. 

Brandon Gary had preceded them down the 
river, paddling in the blue canoe he had selected 
for the race. This, explained Poke, was a mis- 
take. It was unwise to exert one’s self before 
the contest. He believed in saving his strength. 
Gil, who was doing his best at the bow, to keep 
the Mi-Ka-Noo from colliding with the other 
boats, grunted ironically. The starting-place 
looked like the English Thames on a regatta 
day. The sun had come out gloriously and the 
variously colored canoes and cedar boats glis- 
tened in the sunlight. Joe Cosgrove, the base- 
ball captain, had been chosen official, combin- 
ing the duties of referee, judge, timer and 
starter. Joe had provided himself with a small 
pistol and was determined to do his part in 
ship-shape fashion. He was also determined to 
waste no time, having an engagement to play 
golf at a quarter past eleven with Mr. Arroway, 
the English instructor. So he watched impa- 
tiently while Poke stepped carefully into his 
green canoe — Poke still held canoes in deep 
respect and boarded them circumspectly — with 


AN EAELY MOENING PEACTICE 265 


all the impressiveness possible under the cir- 
cumstances. 

“ Paddle over here, Poke, and get in place,’’ 
he called. 

Poke, without replying, took up his paddle 
and looked it all over, much as a batsman ex- 
amines a favorite hat or a billiard player his 
cue, much to the amusement of the spectators. 

It’s all right,” called Gil. ‘‘ It isn’t 
loaded, old man. ’ ’ 

Poke thereupon carefully placed the tip of 
the paddle in the water, moved it experimen- 
tally, withdrew it and once more scrutinized it 
carefully. Cosgrove sputtered. 

<< For goodness’ sake. Poke, get a move on, 
can’t you? ” 

Poke appeared to have heard him for the first 
time and glanced across inquiringly. Are 
you waiting for me? ” he asked surprisedly. 

Get in line with Gary there,” directed Joe. 
‘‘ Get those bows even. Are you ready? ” 

Poke agreed that he was, and so did Gary. 

Bang! 

That was Joe’s pistol. Gary dug his paddle 
and the blue canoe darted ahead. Poke dug his 
paddle and the green canoe followed, but more 


266 


CROFTON CHUMS 


slowly. Poke, agreed the crowd, was going to 
let Gary set the pace. You couldn^t fool old 
Poke! You’d have to get up pretty early in 
the morning to get ahead of him! The flotilla 
followed, cheering and laughing and shouting 
advice to the contestants. 

“ Go it. Bull! You’re doing fine! ’’ 

‘‘Keep after him. Poke! Wear lum out! 
That’s the stuff! ” 

“ ’Rah for Endicott! ” 

“ ’Rah for Gary! ” 

The great race had begun I 


CHAPTEE XXI 


THE GKEAT KACE 

F or a time it seemed that the race would 
come to an ignominious end then and there, 
for the other canoes, or such of them as were 
paddled by two or more fellows, followed so 
closely that at the end of the first hundred yards 
they were on both sides of the contestants and 
even in front of them ! 

Get out of the way, can^t you? ’’ bawled 
Gary. ‘ ‘ Give me room ! ’ ’ 

Poke, a length and more behind, was not 
bothered by the convoy, and chuckled at Gary’s 
dilemma. But Joe Cosgrove came to the res- 
cue. Joe was sculling in a tub. 

‘‘Keep back there!” he shouted. “Keep 
back of the race or I’ll call it off ! ” 

“ If they don’t get back I’ll claim a foul! ” 
shouted Gary, encouraged by the referee’s sup- 
port. 

“ So will I! ” announced Poke. “I’ll claim 
two fouls! ” 


267 


268 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


But the referee’s command had the desired 
eifect and Gary’s blue canoe swept out of the 
press, followed by its green competitor. Joe 
followed close behind Poke and the rest of the 
craft came bobbing along back of Joe in merry, 
laughing confusion. The Mi-Ka-Noo had been 
lucky enough to secure a position well in the 
lead of the followers from where during the 
first stage of the race both canoes were in plain 
sight. 

“ Poke’s just simply going to pieces,” 
mourned Jeffrey. ‘‘ Look at him! He can’t 
keep her nose straight at all! ” 

‘‘ He can’t paddle, and he knows it,” an- 
swered Gil. “ What I’m wondering is what’s 
his idea? I’ll bet anything he never thought 
of winning this rate by paddling.” 

Maybe he’s got a motor hidden in his ca- 
noe,” suggested Jim with a laugh. 

If he has he’d better start it going,” said 
Jeffrey. He had to stop paddling then and 
straighten his canoe out. Why doesn’t he re- 
member what I told him? ” 

‘‘Is he much behind? ” asked Hope anx- 
iously, craning forward. 

“ About three or four lengths,” answered 
Jim. “ Sit still or you’ll have us overboard! ” 


269 


THE GREAT RACE 

He’s just doing that to fool him,” said 
Hope. ‘‘You wait! ” 

But if Poke was playing fox he was overdo- 
ing it, for now Gary was increasing his lead 
with every stroke of his paddle. The blue 
canoe was going finely, Gary’s bare arms work- 
ing the paddle with the power and regularity of 
a piece of machinery. He was at the end of 
the first loop of the course now and the start- 
ing-point was already hidden from sight by the 
trees which grew to the water’s edge on both 
sides. The sound of the accompanying boats 
grew less and less, showing that Poke, keeping 
them back, was rapidly losing. But it was not 
until the stream turned to the right again on 
the beginning of the second loop that Gary al- 
lowed himself to turn and look behind him. 
When he did so he smiled. Not a canoe was 
in sight on so much of the winding stream as 
lay within his vision. In another moment, eas- 
ing a little from the pace he had been setting, 
he was around the point, keeping as close to the 
bank as the channel would allow. He was be- 
ginning to be aware of aching muscles in arms 
and legs and back, and so he shifted his paddle 
to the right for a few minutes. The river still 
turned so that he could see only a hundred feet 


270 CEOFTON CHUMS 

or so ahead of him at a time, but presently the 
bridge at Birch Island crept into sight down 
the stream; first the tip end of it on the Crof- 
ton side of the river, then the second stone pier 
and the edge of the island and then the whole 
bridge. There were spectators on it. They 
were waving to a youth on the bank who was in 
the act of dropping a green canoe into the 
water. The green canoe, which had a strange 
likeness to the one which Poke Endicott was in, 
disappeared under the further arch of the 
bridge and went out of sight. The fellows on 
the bridge disappeared, too, running to the 
other side to watch it. But by the time Gary 
neared the bridge they were back again, shout- 
ing to him and cheering loudly. Gary experi- 
enced a glow of pleasure at the discovery of 
such a warm sentiment in his favor. As he 
neared the faces leaning over the parapet he 
was puzzled, however, to account for the ex- 
pressions on them, and for the burst of laughter 
that greeted him. There was something ironic 
in that laughter, and he realized dimly that the 
shouts of encouragement were not altogether 
sincere. 

‘ ‘ Go it, Gary ! Eat ’em up I Paddle hard 1 ’ ’ 


THE GREAT RACE 271 

‘ ‘ Dig, Bull I You’ll get him yet ! That ’s the 
boy! ” 

The shouting died away as he swept his canoe 

I out from under the old stone arch and left the 
bridge and the island behind. Ahead was 
the boat-house and the float and the end of the 
I race — and victory! And ahead, too, was a 
I green canoe, a green canoe with a boy in the 
3 stern whose back looked marvelously hke Poke 
Endicott’s! Of course it couldn’t be Poke, 
for Poke was yards and yards behind. Gary 
turned and looked. Just beyond the bridge 
came the pursuit. He could see the boats un- 
der the arches. Which was Poke’s he couldn’t 
tell, but Poke was there somewhere, vanquished 
i and discomfited. Of course, only — who was 
I the boy ahead? And why were the watchers 
on the float waving to him and shouting? Now 
he had stopped paddling and they were helping 
him out and slapping him on the back and cheer- 
ing. Of course it wasn’t Poke ; that was impos- 
sible ; but it looked — 

It was Poke! 

The fellow had turned and Gary had seen his 
face. For a moment Gary stopped paddling 
and stared open-mouthed as though at an ap- 


272 


CROFTON CHUMS 


parition. What did it mean? Poke had not 
passed him on the way up. Or — was it possi- 
ble that he had passed and that he hadn’t seen 
him? That was an awful thought, for it sug- 
gested that he was losing his senses! Non- 
sense I It was some trick, some — 

Then Gary saw it all! Poke had carried 
across the point! 

Gary realized that the current was carrying 
him down-stream and dug his paddle again. 
After all, it was all right, for plenty of fellows 
could testify to having seen Poke put his canoe 
back into the river at Birch Island. Why, Gary 
had seen that himself! And others must have 
seen him leave the water on the other side. 
Poke had fooled him, and he supposed a lot of 
the fellows would think it a good joke and try 
to jolly him about it, but he had won the race 
fairly and squarely, and he could atford to let 
them laugh. He went on to the float leisurely. 
The other canoes were almost up to him now. 
The crowd at the landing watched him approach 
and cheered him a little for consolation. At the 
edge of the float stood Poke, bearing his honors 
as modestly as might be. He leaned down and 
held Gary’s canoe for him. 


THE GREAT RACE 


273 


Well paddled, Bull,^’ lie said heartily. 
‘‘ But what was the trouble? Did you strike a 
snag or run aground? 

“You think you’re smart, don’t you? ” re- 
plied Gary indignantly. “ Gee, you couldn’t 
do a thing. Poke, without trying to make a silly 
farce of it! You make me tired! ” 

‘ ‘ Farce ! ’ ’ repeated Poke in amazement. 
“ Oh, now, I say. Bull, don’t he grouchy because 
I beat you. Shake hands and let’s forget it. 
It isn’t my fault if I can paddle faster than you 
can, is it now? ” 

“ Paddle! ” fumed Gary, climbing onto the 
float. “ Run, you mean! You cheated! ” 

Poke shook his head and viewed sorrowfully 
the fellows who had huddled around at the first 
sounds of the altercation. “ I thought you 
were a good loser. Bull,” he sighed. 

“ Loser! I am when I lose. But I haven’t 
lost. You carried across the point to Birch 
Island. Why, dozens of fellows saw you! ” 

“ Oh, cut it out, Bull,” said one of the audi- 
ence. “ Don’t get sore about it. He beat you 
fair and square — ” 

“ Of course I did,” agreed Poke soothingly. 

Gary sputtered with indignation. “ Fair 


274 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


and square! Wliy — why, he took his canoe 
out of the water and ran across the point with 
it, I tell you! 

What! Oh, get out, Gary! ” 

You’re sore. Bull! ” 

‘‘ You didn’t, did you. Poke? ” 

“ Sure I did. It was quicker that way. I 
wonder you didn’t think of it. Bull.” 

‘‘ WTiat did I tell you? ” demanded Gary in 
triumph as the other canoes and boats began 
to unload their passengers. “ He knew he 
couldn’t win fairly and so — ” 

‘‘Now you hold on a minute. Bull,” com- 
manded Poke smilingly. He pushed his way 
toward the other end of the float. ‘ ‘ J eff , where 
are you? Who’s seen Punk Gibbs? ” Punk 
answered from nearby and Jeffrey hobbled 
through the crowd. “ Now, then,” resumed 
Poke. “ Bull says I didn’t win the race fairly. 
WTiat do you fellows say? You were there 
when we made the agreement.” 

Jeffrey hesitated. “ Well,” he said, “ you 
know you carried your canoe across the land. 
Poke.” 

“ Of course. WTiat of it? WTiat were the 
terms of the challenge? ” 

“You were to start together at the old 


THE GEEAT EACE 


275 


bridge,’’ spoke up Gibbs, “ and the one who got 
here first was to have his shoes blacked by the 
other fellow. That’s the agreement, because I 
took notice that you didn’t say anything about 
canoes.” 

‘‘ Is that the way you remember it, Jeff? ” 
asked Poke. 

‘‘Yes, it is. But it hadn’t occurred to 
me — ” 

“ It was understood that we were to race in 
canoes,” exclaimed Gary hotly. “ If you’d 
meant a running race — ” 

“You may have understood it that way,” 
said Poke, ‘ ‘ but I certainly didn ’t. ’ ’ He looked 
at his shoes. “ Got your blacking handy. 
Bull? ” 

“ No, and don’t you think for a minute that 
I’m going to black your shoes for you! You 
didn’t race fair, and every one knows it ! I won 
that race — ” 

But the sentiment of the crowd was against 
Gary. It was too good a joke to be spoiled by 
quibbles. 

“ Cut it out. Bull! ” 

“ Of course he beat you ! He didn’t say any- 
thing about staying in the canoes ! ’ ’ 

“ Go on and get your blacking, Bull! ” 


276 


CROFTON CHUMS 


‘‘ Every one- over to Mem! 

And the crowd, jostling and langhing, swept 
Gary and Poke with it np the hank, Gary ask- 
ing excitedly where Joe Cosgrove was. 

Wait till you hear what the referee says ! 
he demanded. “ He hasn’t given his decision 
yet! Where is he? Any one seen him? ” 

But Joe was half-way to the links by that 
time, and when, hours later, Gary ran him down, 
he was suffering from a strange lapse of 
memory. 

Race? Oh, I’ve forgotten all about the 
race. Bull. What of it ? ” 

Well, didn’t I win? ” demanded Gary. 
‘ ‘ Poke carried his canoe half the way. ’ ’ 

“ That’s a very serious accusation to make,” 
said Joe gravely. ‘‘ Can you substantiate it. 
Bull? ” 

Of course I can! Dozens of fellows saw 
him do it ! Why, you must have seen him your- 
self! ” 

“ N-no, I don’t think I could swear that Poke 
carried his canoe. I did see him haul it up on 
the bank once, but there’s no rule to keep a 
chap from taking a rest if he wants to. All I 
know is that he arrived at the boat-house first, 
and that gives him the race. Bull.” 


THE GEEAT RACE 277 

“ But he cheated, I tell you! Don^t you un- 
derstand that? ’’ 

‘‘ I tell you what you do, Bull,^’ said Joe 
finally. “You bring some good, reliable wit- 
nesses to me to prove that Poke carried his 
canoe instead of paddled it and 1^11 — I’ll hear 
’em. ’ ’ 

But Gary had cooled down by the next day 
and the witnesses never testified. I don’t think 
Gary ever saw the humor of that memorable 
aquatic contest, but he got so after awhile that 
he could grin when he was teased about it, and 
that wasn’t so bad for Gary. But he never 
blackened Poke’s shoes. And I, for one, don’t 
blame him ! 

The school enjoyed the event for days after- 
ward and some of the Juniors got together and 
presented Poke with a loving-cup — which had 
all the ear-marks of a tin gallon measure — 
suitably inscribed in black paint. In the in- 
scription Poke was referred to as the “ Cham- 
pion Dry-Ground Canoist of the World.” 

“ But do you mean to tell me,” asked Jetfrey 
after the race that forenoon, “ that you went 
down this morning at half-past six or some such 
unearthly time and carried that canoe through 
the woods for practice? ” 

17 


278 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


<< Why not? asked Poke. Yon see, I 
wasn^t certain it could be done, on account of 
the bushes and things.’’ 

Nice time to find out about it,” laughed 
Jim. Suppose you had found that it couldn’t 
be done? ” 

Then I’d had to follow my original plan, 
which was to use two canoes.” 

‘‘ Two canoes? How could you have done 
that? ” 

<< Why, I’d have started in one, left it on the 
bank, hot-footed it through the woods and 
picked up another which would have been wait- 
ing for me. But I didn’t quite like to do that. 
It didn’t seem quite fair, you see. Of course 
there was nothing in the agreement prohibiting 
the use of two canoes, or twenty, but — well, 
there’s the spirit of the law to consider as well 
as the letter. ’ ’ And Poke looked as virtuous as 
a saint. 

You’re a silly chump,” observed Gil with 
conviction. Why did you let Jeff here wear 
himself out trying to teach you to handle a pad- 
dle if you didn’t mean to use it? ” 

Poke grinned. Because Jeff was troubled 
about me and I knew he ’d feel a lot better if he 
thought he was teaching me how to win the race. 


THE GREAT RACE 279 

I didnT want to cause him any uneasiness, 
Gil.^^ 

‘‘You and your uneasiness!” scoffed Gil. 
“ If I were Jeff I ^d punch your head for you! ” 

“1^11 do worse than that some day,” laughed 
Jeffrey. “ 1^11 take him out in a canoe and 
leave him there helpless ! ’ ’ 

Poke laughed. “ It was funny, though, fel- 
lows,” he said, “ to see the look on BulPs face 
when he saw me on the float. He was so flab- 
bergasted that he sat with his paddle in the air 
and let the canoe drift down-stream with him! 
Ill bet that for a minute he thought it was my 
ghost he saw! ” 

Hope, I think, was a little disappointed in the 
outcome of the race. She had wanted Poke to 
prove a hero and instead of that he had only 
proved a practical joker. And Hope, while her 
sense of humor was extremely well developed, 
failed to appreciate the joke as much as the hoys 
did. She confided to Poke some days later that 
she wished he would learn to paddle perfectly 
jimmy and then beat “ that Gary boy ” in a real 
race. And Poke gravely consented to think the 
matter over. 

For awhile speculation was rife as to the du- 
ration of Gary^s term of probation, but after 


280 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Cosgrove had settled into the position of right 
guard and it was observed that that side of the 
line appeared as strong as ever the school be- 
came less concerned with Gary’s fortunes. 
Cosgrove, although he had never played the 
position before, soon became a proficient right 
guard, and Curtis, accustomed to the other side 
of the line, took very kindly to his change. 
Crofton met and defeated three adversaries and 
then ran into a snag in the shape of Chester 
Polytechnic. ‘ ‘ Poly ’ ’ swept the Academy team 
off its feet and won the game in a romp. But 
Poly ” had a way of doing that, and Crofton 
was not disheartened. The game proved that 
the weakest place in the line was at left tackle, 
where Marshall, willing and hard-working, 
hadn’t the stamina for the position. And yet 
Marshall was the best material in sight and 
Johnny decided to keep him, trusting that in the 
Hawthorne game Sargent, on one side, and Gil 
Benton, on the other, would help him out. 
After the Polytechnic game came a battle with 
Cupples Academy, and Crofton crawled out 
victor by a single goal from field. With two 
contests remaining before the Hawthorne game 
the season settled into the home-stretch. Grad- 
uates ran out to Crofton for a day or two at 


THE GREAT RACE 


281 


a time and looked the team over and gave ad- 
vice and sometimes took a hand in the coaching, 
and ran back to college or business quite satis- 
fied with their devotion to alma mater. But the 
man behind the team was Johnny, and Johnny 
pursued the even tenor of his way, undisturbed. 
Rumors of exceptional ability on the part of the 
Hawthorne eleven might cause uneasiness to 
others, but J ohnny paid them no heed. He had 
heard that sort of thing many, many times 
before. 

Meanwhile Jim was getting on with rapid 
strides, and there came a day when the name 
of Hazard was on every tongue. For on that 
j day Jim broke through Curtis, blocked a kick, 
captured the ball and sped forty yards for a 
touchdown. As the first team’s best that after- 
noon was a field goal, Jim’s feat brought a vic- 
tory to the second, and he went off the field a 
hero in the eyes of ten panting, happy players. 
But brilliant tricks of that sort are not the com- 

I 

mon lot of tackles and Jim’s best work was of 
I the sort that doesn’t show much. By now he 
; had learned how to handle Cosgrove, while 
|i Curtis and he battled day after day with honors 
; fairly evem But while Jim was making fine 
I progress on the gridiron he was scarcely hold- 


282 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


ing his own in class. A boy must be peculiarly 
constituted to work heart and soul for the suc- 
cess of his team and yet not show a falling otf 
at recitations. And Jim, since it was his first 
attempt at serving two masters, was beginning 
to find himself at outs with his instructors. 
Oddly enough it was with Latin that he had the 
most trouble those days and it was Mr. Hanks 
who first scared him. 

‘‘ It won^t do, Hazard,’^ said the instructor 
one day. “ You’ll have to give more time to 
your Latin. Don’t let me find you unprepared 
again this month, please.” 

That night Jim settled down in the quiet and 
seclusion of his own room and dug hard. And 
the next day, and the next after that, Mr. Hanks 
viewed him kindly. But in specializing on 
Latin Jim had neglected his other studies and 
he heard from that. Two weeks before the final 
game Jim was looking worried and had become 
so irritable that Hope declared she was certain 
he was about to be ill. And unfortunately his 
troubled condition of mind reflected itself in his 
playing and on the second team it was whis- 
pered around that Jim was getting “ fine.’^ 
And then came the game with Fqsterville 
School, one crisp Saturday afternoon in the first 


THE GEEAT EACE 


283 


of November. And when it was over, with the 
score 12 to 5 in favor of the enemy, the future 
looked pretty dark for Crofton. For Marshall 
had been dragged out of a play limp and white, 
his usefulness to the team a thing of the past. 
The doctor declared it only a severe wrench of 
I the left shoulder but Marshall took it badly and 
I Johnny knew that even if Marshall pulled 
around in a week the accident had taken every 
bit of fight out of him. And so it was that the 
second lost another lineman to the first team, 
for by the middle of the following week, after 
trying out Parker and Hazard for the position, 
the much coveted, but unhoped for, honor fell 
to Jim. 


CHAPTER XXII 

THE SWORD falls! 


J IM broke into tbe first team on Wednesday. 

That night there was a celebration at 
Shtmywood. Jeffrey beg'^'i with two bottles 
of ginger ale which he . > dv ’.eo. di 

hour. They drank Jim’s health in ,Aat entirdr.^ 
beverage and then Poke sa>- esied tir-> so- 
cake wouldn’t be half bad. So H-p' as svxu 
moned and Mrs. Hazard / * - ^ a- d 

the party adjourned to tl . .. -n;' room ' d". 
spread worthy of the o . ” was . i 
forthcoming. Every one « ■ > 

Jim. Jim was wondering d .. s^ 

would fall, for he had flunked badly that morn- 
ing in mathematics and had barely scraped 
through in Latin. And that was why he pro- 
tested when Poke had the merry thought of in- 
viting Mr. Hanks to the feast. 

‘‘ Oh, no,” said Jim, ‘‘ let him alone. Poke.” 
‘ ‘ I think he ought to participate in our merry- 
284 


THE SWOED FALLS! 285 

making/’ Poke persisted. “You run up and 
invite kirn down, Hope. ’ ’ 

“ Shall I? ” asked Hope, her eyes dancing. 

“ No,” said Jim. But the others insisted and 
Hope hurried away on her errand. 

“ Well, anyway, he won’t come,” predicted 
Jim. But he did. He didn’t quite know what 
it was all about, but he and Hope were very 
good friends by now and he came unquestion- 
ingly, smiling and blinking behind his huge 
spectacles. It was explained to him that Jim 
had that day attained to the utmost pinnacle of 
success by being taken onto the Crofton Acad- 
emy Football Team, and Mr. Hanks murmured 
‘ ‘ Dear, dear ! I want to know ! ’ ’ nibbled at a 
piece of cake and wondered how soon he could 
in decency return to his interrupted labors up- 
stairs. Finally he did go back, shaking hands 
with Jim in an absent-minded way first, with 
one of Mrs. Hazard’s serviettes dangling from 
his coat pocket. The party proceeded quite as 
merrily without him, however. Poke rallied 
Jim on his quietness. 

‘ ‘ I fear the sudden honor is too much for you, 
Jim. You used to be rather a merry youth. 
To-night you remind me of a graveyard gate 
post. Why so sad? ” 


286 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


I’m tired,” murmured Jim. 

“ Then, Jim dear,” said Mrs. Hazard, ‘‘ I 
really think you had better not eat any more 
cake. I’m sure that must be your fifth slice. 
And you ate a great big supper. ’ ’ 

‘‘You don’t mean to say you’ve been count- 
ing the slices!” ejaculated Poke. “Why, 
that’s not like you. Lady.” 

“ She couldn’t count all you’ve eaten,” de- 
clared Hope. “You’re a — a gridjon! ” 

“ A what-on? ” asked Poke anxiously. 

“ A gridjon. A gridjon is a person who eats 
too much.” 

“ Webster or Hazard? ” laughed Jeffrey. 

“ It’s a perfectly good word of my own,” re- 
plied Hope with dignity. 

But although Jim tumbled into bed in short 
time he didn’t go right to sleep. Instead he lay 
awake for quite a while wondering how long, if 
he didn’t make a much better showing in class, 
faculty would allow him to enjoy his new honors. 
And when sleep did come to him finally it was 
because he had comforted his conscience with 
the firm resolve to buckle down to-morrow and 
study as never before. 

But, alas, how many of our good resolutions 
survive the night? The next day was filled with 


THE SWOED FALLS! 


287 


new experiences for Jim, and much hard, gruel- 
ling work on the. field, and a blackboard lecture 
in dining hall after dinner. And so, when study 
time came, he was tired and nervous and his 
thoughts absolutely refused to concern them- 
selves with studies. And the following day Mr. 
Groif, the mathematics instructor, lectured him 
in front of the whole class, which didn’t improve 
Jim’s state of mind a bit, and Mr. Hanks viewed 
him sadly but forebore to reprimand him. In 
his other studies he was doing fairly well as yet. 

There was no practice on Friday and Jim 
locked himself up in his room, in spite of the 
fact that Johnny had instructed them to stay 
out of doors and take mild exercise, and heroic- 
ally studied. But the faculty of assimilation 
seemed to have deserted him of late and it was 
the hardest sort of work to make anything stick 
in his memory for more than a minute. But he 
kept at it until supper time and then emerged 
tired and fagged. 

In the Merton contest the next day, the last 
before the “ big game,” Crofton showed flashes 
of first-rate football. Although he didn’t say 
so, Johnny was well satisfied, for he knew that, 
barring accidents, his team would play at least 
twenty per cent, better a week from that day. 


288 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Crofton was still coming, and a team that is 
coming is better than one that has reached the 
zenith of its development. Merton went down 
in defeat, 17 to 8, after a hard-fought battle. 
Best of all, Crofton emerged from the fray with 
scarcely a scratch, at all events with no real 
injuries to any of her players. Jim played well 
in that game. For four twelve-minute periods 
he forgot all about Latin and mathematics and 
thought and lived football. And Johnny, who 
hadn’t liked the haggard look in Jim’s eyes, con- 
cluded that his fears were groundless, and con- 
fided to Captain Sargent after the game that 
‘‘ That fellow Hazard is the best find of the 
season.” 

And then, on Monday, the sword fell ! 

He was summoned to the office at noon. 
■What Mr. Gordon said and what excuses Jim 
offered are of small consequences. We are in- 
terested in results. The result in this case was 
that Jim emerged from Academy Hall feeling 
that life was indeed a very tragic thing. That 
afternoon Parker played at left guard on the 
eleven and all the school knew that Hazard was 

in wrong with the Office.” 

Johnny was a philosopher. Such things had 
happened to him before. He wasted no breath 


THE SWOED FALLS! 


289 


in regrets nor recriminations. He picked the 
next best man for Jim’s place and went ahead. 
Perhaps he was a little grimmer in the face that 
afternoon and a little more silent, but that was 
all. Duncan Sargent, his nerves already jang- 
ling as a captain’s nerves are likely to jangle 
when the last week of the season arrives, was 
in despair. 

‘‘ First it’s Gary,” he groaned, and then 
it’s Marshall and now it’s Hazard. Well, I’d 
like to know what’s going to happen next! We 
I might as well hand the game to Hawthorne and 
save the trouble of playing! ” 

Poke, to whom these remarks were addressed 
just before the beginning of practice, was as 
gloomy as his captain. He had known nothing 
of Jim’s misfortune until a few minutes before, 
for Jim had not shown up at dinner hour and 
Poke had not glimpsed him since morning. 

Gee,” he muttered, ‘‘it’s all a surprise to 
me. I never suspected that Jim wasn’t getting 
; on all right in class. You don’t suppose J. G. 

will let him back in a day or two? ” 

I' “I don’t know,” answered Sargent despond- 
1 , ently. “ What if he does? A fellow can’t 
)\ drop training for two or three days on the eve 
j of the big game and then play decently.” 


290 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


Jim could/’ said Poke thoughtfully. ‘‘ I 
wonder where the chump is. I suppose he isn’t 
here, eh? ” 

‘‘ I haven’t seen him.” Sargent shrugged 
his broad shoulders. ‘‘ What’s more, I don’t 
want to. If a fellow doesn’t think enough of 
the success of his school to study a few silly 
lessons we’re better without him.” 

‘ ^ Oh, be good, ’ ’ Poke chided. ‘ ‘ It was only 
two years ago that you were off for a whole 
week for the same reason. Dun.” 

And I learned my lesson,” said the other 
gloomily. 

Well, I suppose Jim Hazard’s learning 
his,” replied Poke. “ Only I wish he’d chosen 
some other time. How’s Parker going to fit? ” 

Sargent kicked viciously at a football that had 
rolled up to them. ‘ ‘ Eotten ! ” he said. 

Practice went badly that day, just as it’s 
likely to on the Monday after a hard game, and 
there was a general air of discouragement about 
coach and players alike. The second team, 
grumbling over the loss of another lineman, 
smashed vengefully at their opponents and tied 
the score in the second half of the scrimmage. 
And so it stayed and the second credited them- 
‘selves with what was virtually a victory. Gil, 


THE SWORD FALLS! 291 

Poke and Jeffrey walked home together after 
practice and talked over Jim’s predicament. 

Success,” said Gil, was too much for 
him.” 

“ That’s not fair,” remonstrated Poke. 

Jim got onto the team late and has had to 
learn a whole lot in a short time. Hang it, Gil, 
I haven’t been doing any too well at studies, 
myself, and I’ve been playing football long 
enough to know the ropes. I don’t wonder that 
Jim fell behind. The question now is can he 
catch up and square himself with the Office be- 
fore Saturday? ” 

‘‘Is it all studies or one or two? ” asked 
Jeffrey. 

Poke shrugged his shoulders. “ I don’t 
know. Why didn’t he say something to some 
of us? I noticed that he seemed rather down 
in the mouth, but I didn’t suspect this. I 
thought he was just worried for fear he 
wouldn’t make good at playing.” 

“ Who do you suppose started the trouble? ” 
asked Gil. “ Who do you and Jim have, Jeff? ” 

“ Hanks in Latin and history, Groff in math, 
Arroway in English, Lewellyn in French and 
Thurston in physics. ’ ’ 

“ Well, it might be ‘ Gruff,’ ” said Gil, “ or 


292 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


it might be ‘ Boots.’ Boots ’ was the pop- j 
ular name for Mr. Thurston.) It isn’t likely ] 
that Hanks had anything to do with it; nor : 
Lewellyn. As for English, why, no fellow has i 
trouble in that course.” ' 

I’m not so sure about Nancy, though,” said 
Jeffrey. ‘‘ Ever since we turned him into a 
tyrant he’s been pretty fussy about us having 
our lessons. But I think it was probably Groff ^ 
that started the trouble. He gave Jim a calling- ■ 
down in class last week.” 

‘ ‘ Gruff always was a tartar, ’ ’ grumbled Poke. 

I never knew a mathematics instructor who 
wasn ’t. ’ ’ j 

‘‘ Well, the question is,” observed Gil, is j 
there anything we can do to pull Jim out of his j 
hole*? There’s five days yet before the game. \ 
Something might be done.” 'j 
I don’t believe Johnny would let him play J 
after being laid off,” said Poke gloomily. \ 
Dun’s got a grouch against him, too.” i 

‘‘ Well, the first thing to do is to find him,” : 
said Jeffrey. I haven’t seen him since 
physics.” 

I suppose he’s feeling so mean he’s hiding t 
out somewhere,” Poke suggested. I don’t j 
blame him for being cut up about it.” j 

i 


THE SWORD FALLS! 


29i5 


Jim, however, wasnT very far off when the 
trio entered the gate. He was sitting at the 
! table in his room with his books spread before 
[ him looking disconsolately ont of the window. 
“ No more athletics. Hazard, until yonr marks 
are considerably better in all studies, Latin and 
mathematics especially, ^ ^ had been Mr. Gor- 
don's ultimatum. Jim had spent the dinner 
hour sitting on a spile near the bridge, gazing 
into the water and wondering on the lack of 
gratitude displayed by Mr. Hanks. For Mr. 
Gordon had distinctly said that it had been the 
Latin instructor who had made complaint. Jim 
was through with the team and wouldnT have 
shown up at training table for anything. Nor 
did he want to go home and face his chums at 
Sunnywood just then. Besides, he was much 
too disappointed and miserable to want any- 
f thing to eat. Of course, he had reflected, it was 
t all his own fault, but that knowledge didnT seem 
i to make the situation any easier. He found a 
little satisfaction in calling Mr. Hanks names. 

■ It seemed to him that after the way they had 
come to Nancy’s assistance with advice the least 
! he could have done was to have been a little more 
lenient with Jim Hazard. He wished he had 
never gone in for football ; wished he had never 
18 


I 


294 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


come to Crofton. Then the bell rang and he 
dragged himself back along the river to Acad- 
emy Hall and a French recitation. After that 
there had been physics, and then, when most of 
the fellows were setting their faces toward the 
field, he had hurried home and shut himself in 
his room. His mother had sought entrance and 
he had put her off with the plea that he was busy 
studying, but as a matter of fact there had been 
very little studying done that afternoon. His 
thoughts simply refused to stay on his books. 
It was almost dark now in the room, and through 
the window the western sky was paling from 
orange to gray. He heard the gate click and 
then came the sound of footsteps on the stairs. 
Some one knocked imperatively at his door. 

“ Hello? ’’ he growled. 

‘‘We want to come in, Jim.’’ It was Poke’s 
voice. And the tone told Jim that Poke had 
heard. 

“I’m working,” replied Jim, more gruffly. 

“It’s time to quit. Open up, like a good 
fellow.” 

“ Too busy,” replied Jim. There was a 
whispered conference beyond the door and then 
footsteps died out along the hall. Jim felt more 
lonely than ever then and wished he had let them 


THE SWOED FALLS! 


295 


in. But pride kept him there behind the locked 
door until the supper bell rang, and then until 
[ Hope came up to find why he wasnT down. 
Hope had to beg her hardest before she was ad- 
mitted. Then Jim said he wasn’t hungry and 
wanted no supper. All he wanted was to be let 
alone. So Hope went out quietly, closing the 
door after her, and, being a rather wise young 
lady, prepared a tray. After she had taken her 
departure for the second time Jim sat and 
looked at the tray for a long time ; to be exact, 
just as long as his courage lasted. Then he 
gave in and ate everything in sight. After that 
life didn’t look quite so dark, and when, pres- 
ently, Poke came knocking at the door again, 
Jim bade him enter. 

They talked it all over then, Gil and Jeffrey 
sort of happening in, and Poke was highly in- 
censed at Mr. Hanks’ conduct. 

After what we did to help him! ” he said 
' disgustedly. 

‘‘He has only followed the advice we gave 
him, ’ ’ observed Gil dryly. ‘ ‘ What goes for one 
goes for all. Poke.” 

“He hasn’t a grain of — of gratitude,” 
spluttered Poke. “ And what’s more, I’d like 
to tell him so, too.” 


296 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


If you talk so loud you won^t have to,’^ said 
Jeffrey. ‘ ‘ He will hear you now. ’ ^ 

‘‘LethimI He ’s the limit ^ 

Stop calling names and let’s see what’s to 
be done,” Gil counseled. ‘‘ Think you can 
catch up by Friday, Jim? ” 

“ Oh, I don’t know. I can’t seem to get down 
to studying. I’ve been trying to all the after- 
noon. ’ ’ 

“ Well, I can’t promise that Johnny will take 
you on again even if you get square with the 
Office,” said Gil, but seems to me it’s worth 
trying. You get your books and go over to 
Jeff’s room. After awhile we’ll go over to- 
morrow’s stuff with you. Maybe between us 
we can coach you up, Jim. I’m not much of a 
Latin student myself, but Poke gets on pretty 
well in that; so does Jeff. As for math, why. 
I’ll do what I can for you there. What do you 
say? ” 

Jim thought a moment. He was still inclined 
to feel hurt and imposed on. But the offer 
was too good to be refused, and so. 

All right,” he muttered. I’ll try it.” 

Jim’s showing in class the next day was not 
much better, but on Wednesday there was a 
marked improvement. Every night Gil, Poke 



I 






THE SWORD PALLS I 


299 


and Jeffrey took him in hand and put him 
; through his paces in mathematics and Latin. 

I Jim was not stupid, and now that he had more 
time and constant encouragement he went ahead 
in good shape. If Mr. Hanks suspected the 
sudden coolness exhibited toward him by Jim 
and Poke he made no sign. Personally I don’t 
I believe that he gave it a thought. He had done 
I what his duty required of him in Jim’s case 
I and that was all. That his action had cost Jim 
; his position on the football team and deprived 
; the team of a good player he did not know. He 
went his way serenely unconscious of the trouble 
he had caused. 

Meanwhile the team worked like Trojans 
every afternoon, the football enthusiasm and ex- 
citement grew to fever heat and Thursday 
dawned. Thursday was the last day of practice. 
The whole school marched to the field at four 

i ' o’clock, cheering and singing. Even Jim al- 
, lowed the others to persuade him to attend the 
; final practice, and he and the rest of the Sunny- 
wood, saving Mrs. Hazard, who had lost her 
1 interest in football, now that Jim no longer 
; played, followed the procession, Hope wildly 
j! enthusiastic and attracting many admiring 
I glances on the way. 


300 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


There was nothing spectacular about practice 
that afternoon. After the preliminary work the 
rest of the time was spent in a hard signal drill 
and one fifteen-minute period of scrimmaging, 
the latter being halted for minutes at a time 
while one or other of the coaches, who had grown 
quite numerous by now, criticized and lectured, 
begged and threatened. Around the field, out- 
side the ropes which were already in place for 
Saturday's game, all Crofton cheered and sang. 
Then the final whistle sounded, the second team 
gathered together and cheered the first, the 
first tiredly returned the compliment and play- 
ers, coaches and onlookers trailed back to the 
gymnasium. 

Poke, a faded blanket hanging about him, 
found Jim on the way out. 

‘‘ I spoke to Sargent about you, Jim,’’ he 
panted, ‘ ‘ and he says if you can get square with 
the Office by Saturday he’s willing to give you 
a chance in the game if he can. That is, of 
course, if Johnny says so. I haven’t talked with 
him yet, but I will. Of course, Jim, you won’t 
get in at the beginning. You see, Parker’s do- 
ing pretty well and it wouldn’t be fair to throw 
him out at the last moment, would it 1 Besides, 
you might be a bit stale, you know.” 


THE SWORD FALLS! 


301 


Jim nodded gloomily. I know. Much 
obliged to you, Poke, but I guess iPs no use. 
I don’t even know that J. G. will give me leave 
to play yet. I’m pretty square with Groff, but 
Nancy doesn’t love me much, I guess. Don’t 
bother about speaking to Johnny. It’s all 
right.” 

Oh, I’ll see Johnny,” responded Poke 
heartily. ‘‘You do the best you can and go 
and have a talk with J. G. to-morrow. Why, sup- 
^ posing you don’t get in for the whole game, Jim, 
even a couple of periods is better than nothing at 
; all. And you’ll get your C if you only play two 
minutes. Back up and never say die, old 
chap ! ’ ’ 

Jim nodded again and Poke, clapping him on 
the shoulder, hurried into the gynmasium. They 
i were cheering again now, cheering each member 
i of the team in turn, from Sargent down to the 
^ latest member, Parker. There was no cheer for 
r Hazard, though. Jim had got parted from 
( Hope and Jeffrey, and presently he edged his 
' way out of the gathering and strode home alone 
I and forlorn through the twilight. 


CHAPTER XXIII 


FRIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 

I THINK,’’ remarked Mr. Groff, the next 
morning, that I could count on one hand 
the students who have studied their algebra. 
Wyman, Latham, Nutter, Hazard — if there is 
another I’d like to hear from him.” 

Thirty-odd hands went up. Mr. Groff smiled 
gently and sorrowfully. 

If football plays may he worked out by 
algebra, I believe you. We will repeat to-day’s 
lesson to-morrow. I trust that as the football 
season will be over on Monday we may then 
return to our studies. Dismissed. ’ ’ 

Events transpired so rapidly that day that it 
is difficult to tell of them in order. First of 
all, though, just before noon it was known that 
Curtis, formerly of the second and now play- 
ing right tackle on the first team, had been 
summoned home because of sickness in the 
family. Consternation prevailed. At two 

302 


FEIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


30 ^' 


o’clock Curtis went off, bag in band, torn be- 
tween anxiety and disappointment. Before tbal 
Duncan Sargent and Johnny Connell had spent 
a troubled hour trying to rearrange their line 
of battle. At dinner time Johnny pedaled along 
the road, jumped from his wheel in front of 
Sunny wood Cottage, rang the bell impatiently 
and demanded Jim. 

Look here. Hazard,” began Johnny when 
Jim reached the porch, napkin in hand, “ we’ve 
lost Curtis. He’s gone home. Some of his 
folks ill. We’ve got to have another lineman. 
There’s no one on the second heavy enough 
to stand up in front of Hawthorne. Either you 
or Gary must come back. I don’t care which, 
but the first of you to report to me, all square 
with the Office, starts the game to-morrow. I’ve 
seen Gary and told him the same thing. Now 
you have a talk with Mr. Gordon right away, 
understand? And let me know what he says. 
Come to me after school. If he lets you play 
you’ll have to learn the new signals this even- 
ing. Now hurry up and finish your dinner, and 
don’t stuff yourself. Then see Mr. Gordon at 
once.” 

All right,” replied Jim, his heart thumping 
hard at the thought of getting back to the team. 


304 CEOFTON CHUMS 

1^11 see him in fifteen minutes. Where will 
I find you? ’’ 

‘‘I’ll be in the gym at two. Before that 
you’ll find me around Academy somewhere. 
Get a move on. Tell Gordon you’ve got to 
play; tell him we’ve got to have you! ” 

And Johnny hurried through the gate, 
jumped on his bicycle and tore hack to school. 
Fifteen minutes later Jim, breathless and anx- 
ious, ran up the steps of Academy Hall, hur- 
ried down the corridor and entered the Office. 

“ Can I see Mr. Gordon, please? ” 

“ Mr. Gordon has gone to Boston,” replied 
the secretary in his best official voice. “ He 
left at twelve o ’clock. ’ ’ 

Jim’s heart sank. “ When will he he back, 
please, sir? ” he asked. The secretary 
frowned. 

“He is not in the habit of informing me 
very closely as to his plans. I believe, how- 
ever, that he expects to return sometime to- 
morrow forenoon.” 

“ To-morrow forenoon! ” gasped Jim. 

“ Exactly.” The trouble in the boy’s face 
softened the secretary’s manner. “ "What was 
it you wanted? Is there anything I can do for 
you? ” 


FEIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


305 


‘‘ No, sir, thank you,’’ answered Jim. He 
went out, closed the heavy oak door softly and 
dragged his feet along the corridor. At the 
comer he drew aside and Brandon Gary hur- 
ried by him in the direction of the Office. Jim 
smiled wanly. Gary and he were in the same 
boat. 

On the front steps he paused, hands thrust 
deep in his pockets and tried to think what to 
do. It still lacked twenty minutes of recita- 
tion time and he had the sunlit entrance to him- 
self. But he could see no way out of his 
quandary. Only Mr. Gordon could lift the 
ban and Mr. Gordon had gone away. Jim 
seated himself on the top step and stared un- 
seeingly at the wooded slope beyond the river. 
Footsteps echoed in the corridor and Brandon 
Gary came out. He saw Jim, hesitated and 
then leaned against the doorway. Jim looked 
up and their eyes met. Gary nodded. 

Hello,” said Jim morosely. 

Say, Hazard, you and I are both up against 
it, aren’t we? ” said Gary. I’d like to know 
what business J. G. has going away at a time 
like this.” 

I suppose to-morrow morning will be too 
late,” responded Jim discouragedly. 


306 


CROFTON CHUMS 


Oh, he won^t be back until noon. He’ll 
come on the express that gets in just before 
dinner. Gee, Hazard, I’d like to play to-mor- 
row! I’ve been thinking he might let me off 
before this, but he didn’t, and I made up my 
mind I wouldn’t ask. But now it’s serious. 
With Curtis gone the old team’s up against it, 
I guess.” 

Jim nodded. Gary seated himself on the 
other side of the steps. Silence held them for a 
minute. Then Jim sighed. 

“ Well,” he said, “ I guess I’ll look up 
Johnny and tell him. I promised to let him 
know. ’ ’ 

‘‘So did I,” said Gary. “Look here. 
Hazard, do you think it would do any good to 
talk to Nancy? ” 

Jim considered a moment. 

“ I don’t see what he could do, Gary.” 

“ He might telegraph to J. G. and ask him to 
let us off.” 

“ I don’t believe Nancy would do that,” re- 
plied Jim doubtfully. “ Besides, we don’t 
know where he is, do we? ” 

“ Mrs. Gordon can tell us. Look here, will 
you go and see him with me? Maybe we can 
talk him into it. I’ll apologize to him, if he 


FRIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


307 

wants me to. I’ll do anything to help the team 
out.” 

‘‘ Yes, I’ll go,” answered Jim, brightening a 
little. ‘‘ If we walk up the road maybe we’ll 
meet him.” 

They sprang up and hurried otf side by side, 
choosing the road instead of the wood path, 
since if they took the latter they might miss the 
instructor. They hadn’t far to go. As they 
walked briskly around the curve behind the 
Principal’s residence Mr. Hanks came into 
sight a few rods away. 

‘‘ You start it,” whispered Gary. You 
know him better. I’ll dig in afterwards.” 

‘ ‘ Mr. Hanks, may we speak to you a minute, 
sir? ” asked Jim as the instructor met them. 
Mr. Hanks dropped the hand holding the hook 
he had been reading and brought his thoughts 
I back with a visible effort. 

Er — certainly.” 

Gary and I, sir, are both in wrong at the 
; Office, as you know. Now Curtis has gone home 
and the team’s in a had way for a fellow to 
I take his place in the line. We’ve been to see 
Mr. Gordon and he’s gone away and may not be 
back until to-morrow noon. That will be too 
late, sir. Wouldn’t you be willing to say a 


308 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


good word for us, sir, to Mr. Gordon? Tell 
him we — we ^re sorry and — and all that, and 
ask him if we can’t play to-morrow? ” 

Mr. Hanks looked blank. ‘‘I — I don’t 
quite understand,” he said. You want me to 
intercede for you with Mr. Gordon? ” 

Yes, sir,” answered Gary. I guess I de- 
served what I got, Mr. Hanks, but I’ve been on 
probation for nearly a month now. I’m sorry 
for what I did and I — I beg pardon, sir, I 
wouldn’t have asked any favors for myself, 
sir, but the team’s in a rotten mess now that 
Curtis can’t play and it needs me badly, needs 
both of us.” 

‘‘I — I’m afraid, I don’t quite get your mean- 
ing about this — this team. What sort of a 
team is it, Gary? ” 

‘ ‘ Why, the football team, sir ! To-mor- 
row ’s the big game of the season, you know; 
Hawthorne. And we’re going to get licked as 
sure as shooting if either Hazard or I don’t get 
back.” 

“ Am I to understand,” asked Mr. Hanks in 
puzzled tones, ‘ ‘ that Mr. Gordon has forbidden 
you to play in the game ? ’ ’ 

<< Why, of course,” replied Gary a trifle im- 
patiently. I haven’t played since he put me 


FEIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


309 


on probation. And Hazard here bad to give np 
last Monday. You can^t play if you don’t keep 
up with your studies.” 

‘ ‘ Eeally ! I didn ’t know that. I fear I am not 
sufficiently conversant with the customs here. 
I understand, then, that you want to take part 
in this — this contest to-morrow. Is that it? ” 

‘‘ Yes, sir,” chorused Gary and Jim eagerly. 

Why — why — yes, I shall be glad to say 
a good word for you both. Your work in class 
has been very satisfactory since — since the 
occasion we both, I am sure, regret, Gary. As 
for Hazard, he seems to have taken hold ear- 
nestly with his studies of late. But — but if 
Mr. Gordon is away I don’t just see how — that 
is — ” 

‘‘We thought you might send him a tele- 
gram,” said Gary boldly. “ Tell him we’re 
needed on the team and that you’re willing we 
should play and ask him to give us permis- 
sion.” 

“ Do you think,” asked Mr. Hanks doubt- 
fully, ‘ ‘ I should be within my — er — author- 
ity? It — it has the appearance of interfer- 
ence with the Principal’s affairs.” 

“ No, sir, it would be all right. It’s been 
done lots of times. You see, Mr. Hanks, you 


310 


CROFTON CHUMS 


had ns punished and you have a right to ask 
for pardon. And, besides, sir, it isn^t just for 
us personally, iUs for the whole school! If we 
don^t play we’ll be licked by Hawthorne ! And 
you don’t want that to happen I ” 

<< Er — no, I suppose not. Naturally a vic- 
tory is much to be desired. But — but a tele- 
gram ? W ouldn ’t a letter do ? ” 

‘‘ He wouldn’t get it in time, sir. We’ll have 
to know right off ; to-night or to-morrow morn- 
ing at the latest. Please say you will, Mr. 
Hanks I ’ ’ 

“ We-ell, yes, Gary, I’ll do as you ask. Now 
what is the address? ” 

We don’t know yet, sir. We’ll ask Mrs. 
Gordon for it. If you will just write out 
the telegram now, sir. I’ll get the address and 
take the message down town right after 
school.” 

‘‘ Very well. If you will accompany me to 
the hall I will — er — attend to it.” 

At a few minutes before four o’clock Gary 
sent the message at the telegraph office in the 
village. Mrs. Gordon had willingly supplied 
her husband’s address in Boston. There was 
nothing to do now but wait. Johnny was far 
from satisfied with events, but told Gary and 





“ We thought you might send him a telegram,” said 

Gary, boldly. 






FEIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


313 


Jim to report that evening and receive instruc- 
tions in signals. Jim was a different boy now. 
At Sunnywood excitement reigned supreme. 
Supper was a very perfunctory meal, for every 
one was too busy listening for the footsteps of 
a messenger boy to eat much. Even Mr. 
Hanks, suddenly drawn into the swirl of school 
affairs, displayed a mild interest in events. At 
eight o^clock no reply bad been received and 
Hope put forward the explanation that Mr. 
Gordon, who was stopping at an hotel, bad gone 
out to dinner with friends. 

‘ ^ He will find the telegram when be gets back 
to the hotel this evening,’’ she declared cheer- 
fully. There’s no use getting worried, Jim. 
It will be all right. You see if it isn’t.” 

Right or wrong, Jim was forced to leave the 
house at twenty minutes past eight and hurry to 
the locker rooms in the gymnasium, where Sar- 
gent, Johnny and Arnold, the quarter-back, 
were awaiting him and Gary. For a solid hour 
and ten minutes the two boys were coached in 
the new signals, and not until they were letter- 
perfect were they allowed to depart. By that 
time Jim’s head was in a whirl. He and Gary 
walked back together through the frosty dark- 
ness, discussing the chances of the telegram 

19 


314 


CROFTON CHUMS 


coming that night and speculating as to what 
its tenor would be when it did come. 

‘‘ Like as not,” said Jim, who was tired and 
low-spirited by this time, ‘ ^ he will refuse to let 
us oif.” 

‘‘ I have a feeling iUs going to be all right,” 
answered Gary cheerfully. Guess 111 walk 
on to your place and see if it’s come.” 

And it had. Hope met them at the door with 
the news and they went upstairs to Mr. Hanks ’ 
room. The instructor fumbled around on his 
desk and finally found the message. He 
handed it to Gary. Gary read it with a broad 
smile, that trailed away toward the end, and 
handed it to Jim. This was the message : 

Mr. Artemus Hanks, 

Care Mrs. Hazard, Crofton, Mass. 

Gary’s probation lifted. Please inform him. 
Hazard must pass examination in Latin before he 
can take part in athletics. 

John Gordon. 

Jim reread the telegram and then laid it 
back on the desk. That lets me out,” he said 
quietly. ‘‘I’m glad you’re all right, though, 
Gary. If you play they won’t need me, any- 
way. Thank you, Mr. Hanks. ’ ’ 


FEIDAY AND ILL-LUCK 


315 


“ You^re very welcome, Jim. I — I regret 
that the result in your case is so disappoint- 
ing.'’ 

Jim went down to the door with Gary and 
bade him good night. Glad you can play, 
Gary," he said. ‘‘ And I hope we win." 

‘‘We will if I can bring it about," replied 
Gary warmly. “ I wish you were going in, 
too, though. Hazard." He hesitated a mo- 
ment on the steps. “ Thanks for helping me. 
Come and see me some time, will you? " At 
the gate he turned again. “ Oh, Hazard, I 
say! " 

“ Yes? " replied Jim from the doorway. 

“ How about your rooms here? Haven't got 
one I could have after Christmas recess, have 
you? " 

“Yes, there’s one empty. It isn't as good 
as — as the one you saw, Gary, but it's not bad." 

“ I'll come around and have a look at it some 
day. Jones's is the limit! Good night." 

‘ ‘ Good night, ' ' answered Jim tiredly. 

Then he went upstairs to face the sympathy 
of Gil and Poke and Jeffrey. 


CHAPTER XXIV 


HAWTHOKNE COMES TO CONQUER 

T he day of the Hawthorne game dawned 
cold and gray, with a chill breeze out of 
the east that held a tang of the ocean thirty 
miles away. Hawthorne came along, nearly 
two hundred strong, early in the forenoon and 
took possession of the village, taxing the ca- 
pacities of the railroad restaurant and the 
various lunch rooms to the limit. At Sunny- 
wood Gil and Poke, veterans though they were, 
showed unmistakable nervousness all the 
morning, and it took the required efforts of 
Jim and Jeffrey to amuse them. By eleven 
o’clock the sun had peeped for an instant 
through the gloom, promising better things for 
the afternoon. The football team dined at 
twelve that day, so at Sunnywood the dinner 
hour was set forward correspondingly. At one 
Gil and Poke, happy and cheerful now that the 
time of waiting was past, set off to the field. 
“If you don’t win. Poke Endicott,” called 

316 


HAWTHORNE COMES 


317 


Hope from the porch as the boys started down 
the road, I’ll never speak to you again! ” 

“ After that threat,” laughed Poke, “ I shall 
simply eat ’em alive, Hope! ” 

The rest of the household, Jim, Jeffrey, Hope, 
Mrs. Hazard and Mr. Hanks started an hour 
later. Mr. Hanks, having had football thrust 
suddenly into his philosophy, displayed an 
amazing interest and curiosity. “ You see,” 
he confided to Mrs. Hazard, ‘ ‘ I have never wit- 
nessed a game of football. This may seem 
strange to you, for my college was, I believe, 
very successful at the game. The fact is, how- 
ever, that I never had time to attend the con- 
tests. I am really quite curious to see how the 
game is played. I think it must be — er — 
quite interesting.” 

When the Sunnywood party arrived Haw- 
thorne, looking in its black and orange like an 
army of young Princetonians, was on the grid- 
iron warming up for the fray. Along the 
ropes on the other side of the field Hawthorne ’s 
supporters were already shouting to the sky. 
The sun, still coy, broke through every few 
minutes and cast a pallid wash of gold over the 
sere turf. It was cold enough for rugs and 
heavy coats, and Hope was secretly pleased 


318 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


that she had managed to snuggle in between her 
mother and Mr. Hanks. Beyond Mrs. Hazard 
sat Jim with Jeffrey beside him. By a quarter 
to two the Crofton side of the field was three 
and four deep along the ropes and at ten 
minutes to the hour two things happened simul- 
taneously; the Crofton eleven, brave and color- 
ful in new uniforms of crimson and gray, 
trotted onto the field, and the sun burst through 
the murk in a sudden blaze of glory. 

‘‘ That,’^ cried Hope ecstatically, “means 
that we shall win ! ’ ’ 

Crofton took the field for practice, Gary, 
back in his togs once more, racing down the 
gridiron like a colt. A moment later Gil ran up 
and called to Jim across the rope. 

“ Come on and be our linesman, Jim. You 
see,’’ he continued as Jim ducked under the 
barrier and strode across the field with him, 
“ you’ll be nearer things and can watch the 
game a heap better. There’s your partner in 
crime over there with the chain. Introduce 
yourself like a gentleman, shake hands and wel- 
come him to the funeral. They’ve got a pretty 
husky set of men, haven’t they? That’s Gould, 
the little chap talking to Johnny. He’s the 


HAWTHOENE COMES 319 

man weVe got to watch to-day. Gee, I wish 
you were playing, Jim! ’’ 

So do L Is Gould their quarter^ He 
doesn’t look such a wonder, does he? ” 

‘‘Wait tiU you get a good look at his face. 
There’s the whistle. Wish us luck, Jim! ” 
Jeffrey moved into the seat next to Mrs. 
Hazard, depositing an extra coat beside him so 
that Jim might have his place if he returned. 
Hawthorne spread herself over the west end 
of the field to receive the kick-off, Duncan Sar- 
gent patted the tee into shape, poised the ball 
and looked around him. “ All ready, Haw- 
thorne? All ready, Crofton? ” questioned the 
referee. Both teams assented, the whistle blew, 
Sargent sent the ball spinning down the field 
and the game was on. 

Crofton displayed her offensive ability at the 
start. Johnny had instructed the team to get 
the jump on Hawthorne in the first minute of 
play and carry her off her feet if possible. Ar- 
nold obeyed directions to the letter. From the 
first line-up, after the fuU-back had caught and 
carried the hall to his thirty-five yards. Poke 
Endicott tore off eighteen yards outside of 
tackle and began a rushing advance that took 


320 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


the ball to Hawthorne fifteen-yard mark. 
Hawthorne stiffened as the play neared the 
goal line and Arnold tried a forward pass to 
Tearney, right end. This failed and the ball 
went to the Orange-and-Black. But on the very 
next play Hawthorne ^s left half fumbled and 
Benson, Crof ton’s full-back, dived into the 
scramble and recovered the pigskin. Crof ton’s 
machine started up again and after three rushes 
Poke shot through and over the goal line for a 
well-earned touchdown. Sargent kicked goal. 

The crimson-and-gray flags waved madly and 
three hundred voices cheered and yelled. In 
just five minutes Crofton had swept her oppo- 
nent off her feet and scored six points ! That 
was surely cause for rejoicing. Even Mrs. 
Hazard clapped her hands, and Mr. Hanks, just 
beginning to understand the scheme of things, 
beamed delightedly through his spectacles. As 
for Hope, why Hope was already breathless 
from screaming and trembling with excitement. 
Jeffrey, seeing more of the game than the 
others, better appreciated the coup de main that 
had put Crofton in the ascendancy at the very 
beginning of the battle. But he wondered 
whether the Crimson-and-Gray would show an 
equally good defense. That was the only scor- 


HAWTHOENE COMES 


321 


ing in the first period of fifteen minutes. 
Crofton suifered a penalty for holding shortly 
after the touchdown had been made, and later 
was set back for off-side. However, the loss of 
twenty yards had no effect on the final result, 
for neither side came near scoring, and the 
quarter ended with the ball in Crofton ’s posses- 
sion on her rivaPs twenty-seven yards. 

Hawthorne ’s chief mainstay was her quarter- 
back, Go-uld, a remarkable all-around player. 
A brainy general, a certain catcher of punts, a 
brilliant runner either in a broken field or an 
open and a clever manipulator of the forward 
pass, Crofton held him in great respect. Haw- 
thorne ’s team was, in a manner, built around 
Gould, and in that lay whatever weakness it 
possessed. Johnny had coached his players for 
a fortnight to stop Gould, knowing that aside 
from his performances Hawthorne had very lit- 
tle to offer in the matter of ground-gaining 
feats. And throughout the first period Gould 
failed to get away with anything. Crofton 
watched him as a cat watches a mouse and every 
move of his was smothered. One twenty-yard 
sprint around Tearney’s end was the best he 
could do, while whenever he caught a punt in the 
backfield Teamey and Gil were down on him to 


322 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


stand him on his plucky little head the instant 
the ball was in his arms. 

The second period began with Crofton in 
high feather. Benson and Smith, left half, each 
made short gains, and then Arnold tried a for- 
ward pass from Hawthorne’s twenty-five yard 
mark. He threw too far, however, and the 
Orange-and-Black received the ball on its thir- 
teen-yard line. Gould kicked, and, thanks to 1 
two holding penalties, Crofton was forced back 
into its own territory in the next few minutes. 
Then Arnold’s punt went to Gould on his forty 
yards. With the first real flash of form he had 
shown, the little quarter-hack tore off fifteen 
yards. From the center of the field and close 
to the side-line he made his first successful for- 
ward pass, a long, low throw along the edge of 
the field to his right end who caught the hall 
over his shoulder and ran to Crofton ’s thirty- 
four-yard line. A try at the line netted two j 
yards. Then Gould again hurled the pigskin, J 
this time selecting his left end for receiver and i 
sending a low drive to him on Crofton ’s | 
twenty-five-yard line. For a moment it looked j 
as though Hawthorne would score there and | 
then and the runner sprinted to Crofton ’s ’ 
eight-yard line before he was pulled down from j 


HAWTHORNE COMES 


323 


behind. Across the field Hawthorne was wild 
with joy and two hundred of her loyal sons 
shouted and danced with delight. Then Haw- 
thorne tried one rush and lost a yard. Crofton 
was now plainly over anxious and when, on the 
next play, Gould sent his right half-hack at the 
right wing on a delayed pass, Tearney was 
drawn in and the orange-and-black player sim- 
ply romped across the line for a touchdown. 
From this Hawthorne ’s right end kicked a goal 
from a difficult angle and the score was tied. 

Then, it seemed, that Hawthorne had found 
herself. Success breeds success. The Orange- 
and-Black took heart and after Crofton had 
kicked off again Gould ran the ball back thirty 
yards, eluding half the Crofton team, and 
placed it on her enemy’s forty-five-yard line. 
Crofton ’s defense was now severely tested. 
Gould gave the ball to his half-backs and his 
full-back and twice Hawthorne made first down 
by short line plunges. The vulnerable spot in 
Crofton ’s defense was at left tackle where 
Parker, wilhng enough though he was, lacked 
experience and weight. On her twenty-five- 
yard line Crofton stiffened up and Gould tried a 
forward pass that proved illegal. A plunge at 
center gave the ball to Crofton, and Arnold 


324 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


punted on the first down. Gould caught the 
ball and was promptly laid on his back by Gil. 
A penalty for holding forced Hawthorne back 
to her thirty yards. Gould tried an end run 
that gained but seven yards and punted on the 
next down. Crofton made three yards 
through right tackle and then Arnold got off 
a beautiful forward pass to Gil, and the latter, 
by squirming and crowding, finally reached 
Hawthorne’s twenty-yard line. Two rushes 
failed to gain much distance and Arnold 
dropped back to the thirty-yard line and, with 
every watcher holding his breath, drop-kicked 
the oval over the cross-bar. It was Crofton ’s 
turn to exult and exult she did, while from the 
opposite side of the gridiron Hawthorne hurled 
defiance. A moment later the first half ended, 
the score 9 to 6 ; Crofton ahead by three points. 

Jim returned to his party on the seats and 
squeezed himself down beside Jeffrey. 

‘‘ Isn’t it just glorious? ” cried Hope, her 
cheeks crimson and her hair, loosened by the 
breeze, fluttering about her face. 

‘‘Glorious!” laughed her brother. “It’s 
jimmy! ” 

“ Can we hold them, do you think? ” asked 
Jeffrey. 


HAWTHOENE COMES 


325 


Jim shook his head. I don’t know. I 
heard Johnny tell Duncan Sargent a minute 
ago that he’d give a hundred dollars if the 
game were over. If Hawthorne pounded away 
at the left side of our line she could gain like 
anything. Parker’s doing the best he can but 
he can’t stop them. How do you like the game, 
Mr. Hanks? ” 

“Very much indeed. I — I find myself 
quite excited. Hope has been instructing me in 
the — er — fine points, but I fear she has found 
me a very stupid pupil.” 

“ Well, I don’t think I can give you more than 
a C,” laughed Hope. “ And mama gets a D 
minus. Awhile ago she wanted to know why 
the tall man in the white sweater didn’t play 
harder! ” 

“ Well, nobody told me he was the referee, or 
whatever he is,” declared Mrs. Hazard. “ For 
my part I think I’d much prefer to be he.” 

“ Jim, I hope we just — just gobble them up 
this half,” said Hope. 

“ Gobble them up,” repeated Mr. Hanks. 
“ Is that — er — a football term or do you use 
the phrase metaphorically? ” 

“ She means eat ’em alive, sir,” laughed Jef- 


326 


CROFTON CHUMS 


‘‘We won’t do that,” said Jim with a shake 
of his head. “ All we can hope to do is hold 
them where they are. Isn’t Gil playing a peach 
of a game? And Poke, too. Did you see him 
go through for that touchdown? He was like 
a human battering ram ! ” 

“ How’s Gary doing? ” asked Jeffrey. 

“ Putting up a great game; playing a heap 
better than Sargent, I think. But I suppose 
that’s natural enough. Sargent’s captain and 
that always puts a chap off his game, they say. 
If I was that Hawthorne quarter I’d plug away 
at Parker and Sargent, and I’ll bet I’d make 
some bully gains. ’ ’ 

“ They probably will this half,” said Jeffrey. 
‘ ‘ Their coach has probably seen just what you 
have. Somebody ought to tell Gould, too, that 
he is punting too low. He doesn’t give his ends 
a chance to get down the field. We’ve gained 
every time on exchange of kicks. ’ ’ 

At that moment a voice cried, “ Hazard! 
Hazard ! Is Hazard here ? ’ ’ 

Jim jumped to his feet and answered. A 
substitute player in a much begrimed uniform 
ran up. “ Johnny wants to see you at the 
gym,” he called. “ Come right up.” 


HAWTHOBNE COMES 327 

“What the dickens does he want? mat- 
tered Jim. “ Keep my seat for me, Jeff.’^ 

He found Johnny in the midst of wild con- 
fusion. Eubbers were busy with strains and 
bruises, twenty fellows were talking at once. 
The close air of the locker-room was heavy with 
the fumes of alcohol and liniment. Johnny was 
deep in conversation with captain and manager. 

“ You wanted to see me? ’’ asked Jim, push- 
ing his way through the crowd. 

“ Yes, I do! Look here, Hazard, where do 
you stand? 

“ Stand? ” 

“ Yes,’^ replied Johnny impatiently. “ Isn’t 
there any way you can play this half? ” 

“I’m afraid not,” answered Jim. “ Mr. 
Gordon wired that I’d have to take an exam be- 
fore I could play.” 

“ You didn’t take it? ” 

“ No, sir. There wasn’t any way to take it 
that I knew of.” 

Johnny looked at Sargent questioningly. 
“You wouldn’t risk it, would you? ” he asked 
in a low voice. Sargent shook his head. 

“ I ’d he afraid to. J. G. ’s a tartar about that 
sort of thing. Better try Needham.” 


328 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


“ All right/’ Johnny nodded to Jim. 
“ Sorry. Thought maybe you could manage 
somehow to help us out. Better not go against 
faculty, though.” 

‘‘I’m willing to risk it if you need me,” re- 
plied Jim quietly. 

“ I won’t have it,” said Sargent decisively. 
“ You’d get fired as sure as fate. Hazard. 
Much obliged, just the same.” 

“ Time’s up! ” called Johnny. 

Jim walked hack to the field despondently. 
If they had given him any encouragement, he 
told himself, he’d have risked J. G.’s displeas- 
ure and played. When he reached his seat 
J etf rey asked : 

“ What was it, Jim? ” 

“ Nothing much. Johnny thought maybe I 
could play in this half. They’re taking Parker 
out. Needham’s going in. He wiU be twice as 
bad as Parker, I guess. ’ ’ 

“ Didn’t Johnny know? ” 

“ About me? I guess so. He seemed to 
think I might have taken an exam somehow. I 
didn’t see how I could have, do you? ” 

Jeffrey shook his head. “ No, I don’t.” 
Jim glanced along to find Mr. Hanks peering 
interestedly through his spectacles. 



Jim takes his examination on the football field. 


GflA'Kb 

stand/ 


{r\ 




HAWTHOENE COMES 331 

Do I understand, Jim,’' he asked, ''that 
you could play if you passed an examination? ” 
" Yes, sir, I suppose so. That’s what Mr. 
Gordon wired, you know. ’ ’ 

" Do they — er — need you, do you think? ” 
" They seem to think so,” answered Jim. 
" They want a fellow to take Parker’s place.” 

" Well — well — ” Mr. Hank’s eyes snapped 
behind the thick lenses of his glasses — " do you 
think you could pass an examination now ? ’ ’ 

" Now ! ” exclaimed Jim. " Why — why — 
do you mean — ” 

' ' I mean now ! ’ ’ repeated Mr. Hanks crisply. 
" Yes, sir! ” 

" Then I’ll examine you, and if you pass — ” 
" Jetf,” cried Jim, as he jumped to his feet, 
" run over and tell Johnny to find some one to 
take my place with the line. Tell him I’m tak- 
ing my exam! Tell him to get me some togs 
and I’ll be ready to play in — ” He stopped 
and looked at Mr. Hanks. 

" Ten minutes! ” said the instructor. 

Jeffrey seized his crutches and hobbled 
quickly away, while Mr. Hanks and Jim left 
their seats and disappeared behind the throng. 
At that minute the Crofton team trotted back 
on to the field and the cheering began again. 

20 


CHAPTER XXV 


JIM PASSES AN EXAMINATION 

I NSTRUCTED by its coach, Hawthorne, be- 
gan to hammer the right side of Crof ton’s 
line at the star. Gould hurled his backs time 
and again at Needham and at Captain Sargent. 
Gain after gain was made, Needham proving no 
harder to penetrate than Parker had been. 
Sargent was a tougher proposition, but even he 
was weakening. The first ten minutes of the 
third quarter was a rout for Crofton. From 
their forty yards to Crofton ’s twenty-five the 
Hawthorne players swept, and then, just when 
success seemed within their grasp, a fumble 
lost them the ball. Gil reeled off twelve yards 
through the center of the Hawthorne line and 
Smith and Benson plugged away for another 
down. Then Hawthorne held stubbornly and 
Arnold kicked. After that Hawthorne came 
back again, slowly but surely, banging the right 
guard and tackle positions for gain on gain, 
and now and then sending Gould on an end run 

332 


JIM PASSES AN EXAMINATION 333 


for the sake of variety. Both teams were tir- 
ing now and the playing was slower. After a 
particularly vicious plunge at his position Sar- 
gent remained on the ground when the play was 
over and it was a good three minutes before he 
was on his feet again. Then Smith was hurt 
and a substitute went in for him. With three 
minutes of the third period remaining, the ball 
was down on Crof ton’s eighteen-yard line and 
the Crimson-and-Gray was almost in her last 
ditch. Had Gould chosen to try a goal from 
field there he might have tied the score, hut 
the plucky little general was out for a victory 
and insisted on a touchdown. He himself took 
the ball for a plunge through left tackle and 
got by for three yards. Then a delayed pass 
went wrong and there was seven to gain on the 
third down. There was a consultation and 
Gould fell back as though he meant to kick. In- 
stead of that, however, he tried a short forward 
pass that went to Gil instead to one of his own 
side and for the moment the advance was 
stayed. On the second down Arnold punted to 
midfield. For once Gould signaled a fair 
catch. Again Hawthorne took up the attack, 
but before she had made much headway the 
whistle sounded. 


334 


CEOFTON CHUMS 


At that minute, over behind the row of Crof- 
ton sympathizers, Mr. Hanks nodded his head 
twice. 

“ You pass, Jim,’’ he said. 

Johnny was looking anxiously about when 
Jim leapt over the rope. 

‘ ‘ All right ! ” he cried. ‘ ‘ There are your 
togs. Get into them.” 

Jim, walled from gaze by a quickly formed 
ring of substitutes, changed quicker than ever 
he had in all his life. Out on the field the 
whistle blew and the two lines formed again. 
Finally Jim was ready and Johnny seized him 
by the arm and led him along the side-line. 

‘‘Wait till this play is over,” he said. 
“ Then go in for Needham, and play low. 
Hazard. Get the jump on those fellows and 
break it up! Understand? Break it up! You 
can do it ; any one with an ounce of ginger can. 
There you are ! Scoot ! ’ ’ 

And Jim scooted! 

‘ ‘ Left tackle, sir ! ” he cried to the referee. 
That official nodded. Needham, panting and 
weak, yielded his headgear and walked off to re- 
ceive his meed of cheering. Arnold thumped 
Jim on the back ecstatically. 

“ Oh, look who’s here! ” he yelled shrilly. 


JIM PASSES AN EXAMINATION 335 

Well, well, well! Now let^s stop ^em, 
Crofton! 

‘‘ Look out for the left half on a cross-buck,’’ 
whispered Sargent from between swollen lips. 

And get low. Hazard. We’ve got to queer 
this, you know, we’ve got to do it I ” 

‘‘ All right,” answered Jim quietly, eyeing 
his antagonist shrewdly. ‘‘ Here’s where we 
put ’em out of business.” 

Hello, son,” said the opposing tackle as the 
lines set again. How’d they let you in? 
Watch out now, I’m coming through! ” 

But he didn’t. Jim beat him by a fraction of 
a second and .had his shoulder against his stom- 
ach and was pushing him back before he knew 
what had happened. Sargent, having no longer 
to play two positions, braced wonderfully. In 
three plays Hawthorne discovered that the left 
of the opponent’s line was no longer a gateway. 
Learning that fact cost her the possession of 
the ball, for she missed her distance by a half- 
foot. Crofton hurled Gil at left guard and 
piled him through for four yards. Then came 
a mix-up in the signals in which Smith’s substi- 
tute hit Hawthorne ’s line without the ball. Ar- 
nold kicked, but his leg was getting tired and 
Gould got the oval twenty yards down the field. 


336 


OEOFTON CHUMS 


On Crof ton’s forty-yard mark Gonld got off a 
short forward pass that took the team over two 
white lines. Then an end run netted nothing 
and again Gould kicked. Benson got under the 
hall, caught it, dropped it, tried to recover it 
and was bowled aside by a Hawthorne forward 
who snuggled the pigskin beneath him on 
Crofton’s twelve-yard hne. Two plunges net- 
ted nothing and Gould fell back for a kick from 
the twenty-eight-yard line. Although half the 
Crofton team managed to break through and 
though Gil absolutely tipped the ball with his 
fingers, the oval flew fair and square across the 
bar and Hawthorne had tied the score ! 

With four minutes to play the teams took 
their places again. Sargent kicked off and Gil 
and Tearney again downed Gould in his tracks. 
A try at a forward pass failed and an on-side 
kick went out at Crofton ’s forty-five yards. 
The ball was brought in and then Arnold 
pegged at Hawthorne’s center for twenty yards. 
A fumble by Gil was recovered by a Hawthorne 
end and again the Orange-and-Black started for 
the Crofton goal. But there was little time 
left now and along the side-lines every one was 
agreed that the contest would end in a tie. 
But football is always uncertain. When two 


JIM PASSES AN EXAMINATION 337 

minutes remained and the ball was in Haw- 
thorne’s possession on her opponent’s thirty- 
eight yards, after two exchange of punts, Gould 
dashed oif around Gil’s end of the line and with 
good interference gained almost fifteen yards. 
Hawthorne took heart at this and her cheers 
boomed across the field. A plunge at right 
tackle gave her five more. Then the unexpected 
happened. 

Gould dropped back into kicking position, 
but when the ball went to him he poised it and 
waited to find his end to make a forward pass. 
Jim, hurling himself past his opponent, dodged 
a half-back and before Gould could get the ball 
away, was upon him. Down went the little 
quarter and away bobbed the ball. An instant 
of wild scrambling and then Jim was on his 
feet again, the ball was scooped up into his arms 
and he was off with a clear field ahead. After 
him came the pursuit, foe and friend alike trail- 
ing backward along the gridiron. Past the mid- 
dle of the field, and still well ahead, Jim dared 
turn in toward the center of the middle of the 
field. Then Gould, making what was his pluck- 
iest effort of all that long, hard-fought game, al- 
most reached him. But behind Gould was Gil, 
and Gil it was who, just as the quarter-back’s 


338 CEOFTON CinJMS j-: ' - '' 

/O 

arms stretched out to bring Jim to earth, threw 
himself in front of the enemy. Over they went 
together, rolling and kicking, and Jim, with his 
breath almost gone, staggered and fell across 
the goal line. 

What if Andy LaGrange, called on to kick 
the goal in place of Sargent, did miss it by yards 
and yards ? The game was won ! For another 
year the Crimson-and-Gray held the champion- 
ship I 

Crofton was still shouting, still waving, still 
cavorting when LaGrange missed that goal, and 
still at it when, after two plays, the final whis- 
tle sounded. Hope, standing on the seat, 
flourished her flag wildly. 

‘‘ Isn’t it perfectly jimmy? ” she cried. 

Mr. Hanks, beaming satisfiedly through his 
spectacles, assented. ‘‘ It is. We — er — as 
you would say, ‘ gobbled them up ’ ! ” 

Didn’t we just? And didn’t Jim do beau- 
tifully, Mr. Hanks? ” 

Mr. Hanks nodded slowly. ‘‘Yes,” he re- 
plied, “ your brother passed a very creditable, 
if somewhat hurried examination. ’ ’ 

THE END 




































